Madrid’s Orbital Paradigm aims to prove a cheaper path to orbital reentry

Francesco Cacciatore, a seasoned professional in the aerospace sector, faced a turning point after two decades in the industry. In a moment of reflection, he realized he wanted to create something impactful, leading him to establish a space venture. Together with co-founder Víctor Gómez García, he launched Orbital Paradigm, a startup based in Madrid focused on a significant challenge in aerospace: the reentry process. In less than two years, with a modest team of nine and under €1 million in funding, the company developed its first test capsule, named KID. This capsule serves as a precursor to their ambitious reusable space capsule, Kestrel. KID is intentionally designed to be lightweight, weighing around 25 kilograms and measuring approximately 16 inches in diameter, lacking any propulsion system. This mission marks a pivotal step for the startup as it prepares to place hardware in orbit for the first time. The initial demonstration mission will cater to several clients, including the French robotics firm Alatyr and Germany's Leibniz University Hannover, alongside another undisclosed customer. To date, Orbital Paradigm has successfully secured €1.5 million in seed funding from investors such as Id4, Demium, Pinama, Evercurious, and Akka. Interestingly, the co-founders originally aimed to focus on in-space robotics. However, they quickly learned from potential customers that the demand was for consistent orbital access, with many institutions and startups expressing a need for regular flights—typically between three to six times a year. Cacciatore noted that biotech firms, in particular, represent a promising market due to the unique opportunities microgravity presents for developing new materials and therapies. In response to this growing demand, Orbital Paradigm opted for a smaller capsule design rather than competing with larger vehicles like SpaceX's Dragon, which transports astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station. Cacciatore emphasized that as payloads increase in weight, the focus shifts from the payload itself to the destination. The market for orbital reentry solutions is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies on both sides of the Atlantic making strides. Varda Space Industries achieved a significant commercial reentry in 2024, while Europe's The Exploration Company successfully conducted a controlled reentry with its test vehicle earlier this summer. Unlike their American counterparts, Orbital Paradigm does not benefit from substantial government funding for hypersonic testing, which often comes in the form of grants that do not require equity relinquishment. Cacciatore acknowledges this challenge, stating that their approach is to prioritize customer sales from the outset to sustain operations. The first launch is nearing, set to occur in approximately three months with an unnamed launch provider, carrying three customer payloads. The KID capsule will not be recovered post-mission; instead, the objective is to detach from the rocket, collect data in orbit, withstand the extreme conditions of hypersonic reentry, and communicate back home before impacting in a designated area. Looking ahead, the second mission slated for 2026 will feature a scaled-down Kestrel capsule, equipped with propulsion systems and a parachute for recovery, aiming to land in the Azores where Portugal's space agency is establishing a spaceport. While Cacciatore takes pride in the team's progress, he remains pragmatic about their journey ahead, stating, "Until we fly, we haven’t done much. Words are nice, but flying is the ultimate test."