Atmos Space Cargo to launch first cargo-return capsule on SpaceX mission this spring

space.com February 5, 2025, 04:01 PM UTC

Atmos Space Cargo, a German company, will launch its first Phoenix cargo-return capsule on SpaceX's Bandwagon 3 mission this spring. This marks the first in-space test for their cargo-return technology. The Phoenix capsule is designed to safely return high-value materials from orbit, particularly for biomedical research. It can initially carry up to 220 pounds, with future versions expected to transport several tons. The Bandwagon 3 mission will test the capsule's systems and its inflatable atmospheric decelerator during reentry. Although the capsule is not expected to survive this mission, the data collected will inform future designs.


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