ATMOS Space Cargo Conducts First Re-Entry Mission from Space early on its way to building a leading return logistics platform with its Innovative Return Capsule

• ATMOS Space Cargo meets critical mission objectives during first flight of its PHOENIX 1 prototype, launched as part of SpaceX’s Bandwagon-3 mission.
• ATMOS tested its innovative Inflatable Heat Shield technology early under realistic flight conditions, as part if its rapid prototyping approach.
• This mission marks a significant step forward to efficient and sovereign European return capacities.
• PHOENIX 2 development is underway, with a test flight planned for 2026.

A European Milestone in Re-Entry Technology

This flight establishes ATMOS as the fastest-moving private space logistics company in Europe to conduct an orbital return mission. It also demonstrates that sovereign return capabilities are within reach – and that private industry is ready to lead in building Europe’s independent space infrastructure.

“PHOENIX 1 delivered on its objectives and our roadmap. Dedicated people show up, go to work and get results – we are not here to guess. Completing this mission with a flight-ready capsule in such a short time frame is a major validation of our design and approach under real conditions,” said Sebastian Klaus, CEO and Co-Founder of ATMOS.

“As a side effect it gave proof that we are able to conduct a multinational operation to create a valuable and inspiring outcome across the entire team and beyond.  We’re on track to build PHOENIX 2 – a next gen capsule capable of setting its own return trajectory, unlocking the most flexible, cost-efficient and reliable end-to-end space logistics platform in the space industry.”

Mission Summary

Launch & De-Orbit Maneuver

PHOENIX 1 launched into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida at 20:48 local time, as part of the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission.

Following injection into a 45° inclination orbit, the capsule completed one full orbit.

A planned de-orbit burn by the Falcon 9 upper stage over Los Angeles, California, then placed PHOENIX 1 on its return trajectory.

Re-entry & Data Recovery

Following upper stage separation, PHOENIX 1 began its return trajectory, transmitting critical system and payload data to ground stations the ATMOS ground segment team set up across South America.

As planned, the capsule performed initial inflation of its heat shield before entering Earth’s atmosphere at the Entry Interface Point (EIP) approximately two hours post-launch south-east of the Brazilian coast.

Due to a recent trajectory update and extended splashdown distance (~2,000 km off the coast), recovery was not planned – effected by the increased distance from  available marine infrastructure.

ATMOS’ current roadmap for PHOENIX 2 confirms to feature its own propulsion system, enabling the capsule to choose its re-entry trajectory and splashdown zone, enabling swift recovery.

“We designed PHOENIX 1 to move fast without compromising core reliability, fundamental for any spacecraft. Thanks to the experience and fast problem solving skill set our team brings to the workshop, we achieved flight qualification in record time. Building and launching a space-ready capsule in under a year required tight iteration and testing, good communication, and a team spirit beyond expectations. This flight – and the engineering process that led us here – taught us valuable lessons on the design of the next iteration, PHOENIX 2” says Christian Grimm, Lead Systems Engineer and Co-Founder at ATMOS Space Cargo.

Christian Ziach, Principal at HTGF and board member at ATMOS, commented: “Watching the launch of the first demonstration flight of Atmos Space Cargo live in Cape Canaveral, seeing how the spacecraft is separated and then looking at the first telemetry data was pure goosebumps. Congratulations to the entire team of Atmos Space Cargo. You have done a great job!”

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About ATMOS Space Cargo
ATMOS Space Cargo GmbH develops cutting-edge technology to enable the return of cargo from space. Its services encompass microgravity experiments, commercial payloads and support for spacecraft reusability. ATMOS bridges the gap between Earth and low Earth orbit, driving industrial innovation with sustainable solutions.

The PHOENIX capsule represents a groundbreaking platform for Earth-to-Space-to-Earth logistics, designed for a wide variety of applications.

About HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds 
HTGF is one of the leading and most active early-stage investors in Germany and Europe, financing start-ups in the fields of Deep Tech, Industrial Tech, Climate Tech, Digital Tech, Life Sciences and Chemistry. With its experienced investment team, HTGF supports start-ups in all phases of their development into international market leaders. HTGF invests in pre-seed and seed phases and can participate significantly in later-stage financing rounds. Across its funds, HTGF has over 2 billion euros under management. Since its inception in 2005, HTGF has financed more than 770 start-ups and achieved almost 200 successful exits.  
Fund investors in the public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital as well as 45 companies and family offices.  
For more information, please visit HTGF.de or follow us on LinkedIn.   

Media contact 
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH 
Tobias Jacob, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager  
T.: +49 228 – 82300 – 121
t.jacob@htgf.de