![\"ATMOS](\"https:\/\/cdn.satnow.com\/news\/1786514993006_639221118003162322.webp\")
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ATMOS Space Cargo<\/strong> is developing reusable space logistics and return technologies designed to enable controlled orbital operations, autonomous missions, precision re-entry and repeatable Earth-to-space-to-Earth mission cycles. At the centre of the technology portfolio is PHOENIX 2, a reusable Orbital Transfer and Return Vehicle (OTRV) designed for autonomous cargo operations in Low Earth Orbit. The integrated architecture allows PHOENIX 2 to operate as an in-orbit free-flyer and subsequently as a controlled re-entry vehicle, providing two-way logistics within a single system.<\/p>\n A key technology is ATMOS’s Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerator (IAD), a non-ablative system designed to function simultaneously as a heat shield and aerodynamic brake during atmospheric re-entry. The technology enables controlled deceleration from orbital velocities while reducing material loss and supporting repeated use. ATMOS also highlights the IAD’s ability to improve re-entry control and payload efficiency, while the precision landing system is designed to provide up to 10 times higher landing accuracy than parachute-based re-entry systems.<\/p>\n PHOENIX 2 is designed to provide flexible mission durations and payload operations. The vehicle has a 100 kg total payload capacity and can remain in orbit for selectable periods ranging from three hours to 12 months. The payload systems support Ethernet and serial data interfaces, with 50 W mean and 100 W peak power available through 28 V unregulated power or various regulated levels. Payloads can be accommodated in 1U\u20133U, the ISS middeck locker or other configurations on request, while the pressurised main payload compartment maintains 1 atm pressure, a controlled 4\u201340\u00b0C thermal range and microgravity levels below 10^-5 g.<\/p>\n ATMOS is also developing PHOENIX 2 as a complete roundtrip logistics service, rather than simply a return capsule. The service covers payload integration at ATMOS facilities, transportation to the launch site, late-access loading, orbital operations, controlled de-orbit and re-entry, payload retrieval after return and transportation to a customer-selected general aviation airport. This integrated model is intended to simplify access to microgravity and provide customers with greater flexibility over how long their payload remains in orbit.<\/p>\n The technology has already progressed through orbital demonstration. In 2025, PHOENIX 1 completed its first orbital re-entry mission as part of SpaceX’s Bandwagon-3 mission, with ATMOS reporting successful activation and deployment of its inflatable heat-shield technology under realistic re-entry conditions. The company subsequently advanced PHOENIX 2 development, including the integration of an onboard HyNOx propulsion system intended to provide greater maneuverability and more precise de-orbit control for future missions.<\/p>\n ATMOS is now targeting PHOENIX 2 for operational space logistics missions, with a 2026 mission planned as the first of a seven-flight programme with Space Cargo Unlimited. The programme is intended to demonstrate routine commercial, station-independent two-way logistics for research and manufacturing in microgravity, combining PHOENIX 2’s orbital free-flyer and re-entry capabilities with Space Cargo Unlimited’s BentoBox platform. The mission architecture brings together launch integration, orbital mission control, payload operations, autonomous de-orbit, re-entry and recovery into an end-to-end service.<\/p>\n About ATMOS Space Cargo<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n ATMOS Space Cargo<\/em><\/strong> is a European space company developing reusable spacecraft, orbital logistics and controlled return capabilities as infrastructure for a growing space economy. Its PHOENIX technology is designed to bridge Earth and Low Earth Orbit by providing autonomous orbital operations and controlled cargo return, with applications spanning microgravity research, commercial payloads, in-orbit manufacturing, spacecraft reusability and dual-use missions. Through reusable vehicles and inflatable re-entry technology, ATMOS is working toward more routine, flexible and sustainable two-way logistics between Earth and space.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ATMOS Space Cargo is developing reusable space logistics and return technologies designed to enable controlled orbital operations, autonomous missions, precision re-entry and repeatable Earth-to-space-to-Earth mission cycles. At the centre of the technology portfolio is PHOENIX 2, a reusable Orbital Transfer and Return Vehicle (OTRV) designed for autonomous cargo operations in Low Earth Orbit. The integrated […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[26,25,133],"class_list":["post-77027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-ground","tag-launch","tag-space-logistics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77027"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77027"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77027\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77027"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77027"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77027"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![](\"https:\/\/cdn.satnow.com\/news\/1786515811930_639221126203293032.webp\")
<\/p>\nAlso Read: UARX Space Signs Contract with ATMOS Space Cargo for PHOENIX 2<\/h4>\n
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