Exolaunch, the global leader in launch mission management, satellite integration, and deployment technologies, has successfully deployed PHOENIX, a groundbreaking reentry 250 kg spacecraft developed by ATMOS Space Cargo, as part of SpaceX's Bandwagon-3 mission. The launch took place on April 21, 2025, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and marks a new chapter in in-space logistics and return-to-Earth capability.

PHOENIX was deployed using Exolaunch's flight-proven CarboNIX 24” separation system, which enabled a precise separation maneuver into a tailored mid-inclination orbit. The mission is ATMOS's first demonstration flight under a regulatory framework that authorizes commercial reentry activities, approved by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and coordinated with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

“We're proud to support Germany's ATMOS Space Cargo as they pioneer the commercial reentry segment of NewSpace,” said Jeanne Allarie, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Exolaunch. “PHOENIX is a bold first step toward closing the loop on in-space manufacturing, research, and logistics—and we're honored to help enable this historic mission aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9.”

“I was incredibly happy to see our capsule on the launcher during integration and then in space when the CarboNIX separation system successfully deployed our capsule,” said Sebastian Klaus, CEO and Co-Founder of ATMOS Space Cargo. “We look forward to future missions and many more successful deployments.”

Bandwagon-3 is part of SpaceX's recently introduced Bandwagon rideshare program, serving growing demand for mid-inclination orbits. Exolaunch is among the first to successfully integrate hardware and payloads on both the Transporter and Bandwagon programs, offering its customers unmatched flexibility and orbital reach.

Following a planned Falcon 9 de-orbit burn and successful deployment, PHOENIX 1 successfully switched on, initiated transmission of critical system and payload data to ground stations across South America. ATMOS confirms the initial inflation of its inflatable heat shield, a key mission objective of its demonstration campaign, which is focused on generating first flight data, including commercial payloads, reentry dynamics, and telemetry. Due to a recent change in the re-entry trajectory, recovery was not conducted. ATMOS' next capsule generation, PHOENIX 2, will carry its propulsion system enabling flexible mission times and precise landing for swift recovery – an essential step toward scaling reusable orbital logistics for space stations, in-orbit manufacturing, and biological return missions.

This marks Exolaunch's first mission with ATMOS, extending its deployment track record to 530 customer satellites delivered across 36 missions with government space agencies, commercial constellation operators, research institutions, and NewSpace startups. Exolaunch provided mission management, integration services, and separation hardware for Phoenix.

“As we expand across a variety of orbits, Exolaunch is ready to help new customers like ATMOS achieve high-impact missions on tight timelines,” said Connor Pollock, VP of Launch and Engineering at Exolaunch. “Our team thrives on turning sophisticated deployment strategies into seamless execution.”

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