Germany’s ATMOS Space Cargo company made history this week by launching its first reentry capsule into orbit aboard the SpaceX Bandwagon-3 mission. The Phoenix-1 reentry vehicle carried four payloads, including a radiation detector from DLR, a micro imaging device from Japan-based IDDK, and a miniature bioreactor from UK-based Frontier Space.
The mission’s main goal is to test key components of Frontier’s lab-in-a-box bioreactor, which aims to enable astronauts to manufacture food and medicine on-demand during space missions. The company’s CEO, Aqeel Shamsul, believes this technology could revolutionize space travel by reducing the need for massive amounts of shelf-stable supplies.
Frontier Space is also exploring revenue streams beyond its core mission, including off-Earth R&D for pharmaceutical companies. The company has identified several drugs that can be manufactured using its bioreactors, which could cover mission costs and generate additional revenue.
The success of this mission marks a significant step forward for European space capabilities, paving the way for more ambitious reentry missions in the future.
Source: https://payloadspace.com/frontier-flies-its-lab-in-a-box-on-atmos-reentry-mission