Archive — US — techcrunch
Madrid’s Orbital Paradigm aims to prove a cheaper path to orbital reentry
Orbital Paradigm, a Madrid-based startup co-founded by Francesco Cacciatore and Víctor Gómez García, aims to revolutionize orbital reentry with a minimal capsule design. They've developed KID, a test capsule targeting biotech companies with a growing demand for repeated microgravity tests. Their first launch is set for three months, marking a significant step in making orbital reentry more accessible and affordable.
Key points
- Francesco Cacciatore founded Orbital Paradigm after a career in aerospace and a desire to create his own venture.
- Orbital Paradigm is developing a reentry capsule called KID to serve multiple customers, including biotech firms.
- The company has raised €1.5 million in seed funding and built KID with a minimal design to keep costs low.
- Orbital Paradigm's focus shifted from in-space robotics to reentry due to market demand for repeat missions.
- KID's maiden launch is planned in three months, aiming to gather data without recovery.
- A second mission in 2026 will attempt recovery of a scaled-down Kestrel capsule.
Why it matters
- Orbital Paradigm's efforts highlight a trend in the aerospace industry striving for easier access to space, especially for commercial uses.
- The increasing interest in microgravity from biotech firms aligns with global initiatives to explore new materials and therapies.
- The competitive landscape for orbital reentry is evolving, as seen with Varda Space Industries' success in 2024 and other similar startups gaining momentum.
Orbital Paradigm represents a promising innovation in aerospace aimed at making orbital reentry more affordable and efficient, responding to growing market needs while navigating challenges in funding and competition.