On April 21, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched its Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the 300th orbital flight from pad 40. The mission carried multiple payloads, notably including Atmos Space Cargo’s PHOENIX re-entry capsule and Tomorrow.io’s Tomorrow-S7 weather satellite.
Atmos Space Cargo’s PHOENIX: A European First
German company Atmos Space Cargo achieved a milestone with its PHOENIX capsule, the first re-entry mission conducted by a private European company. PHOENIX is designed to return cargo from space to Earth using an innovative inflatable heat shield, eliminating the need for traditional parachutes. After completing a single orbit, the capsule is expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 2,000 kilometers off the coast of Brazil. This mission aims to validate technologies crucial for future space logistics, including microgravity research and in-orbit manufacturing.
Tomorrow.io’s Tomorrow-S7: Advancing Weather Forecasting
U.S.-based Tomorrow.io launched its Tomorrow-S7 satellite, part of a planned constellation to enhance global weather forecasting. The satellite is equipped to monitor atmospheric temperature and humidity, providing data that can improve resilience to weather-related threats.
Bandwagon-3: Expanding Access to Space
The Bandwagon-3 mission exemplifies SpaceX’s commitment to providing affordable access to space through its rideshare program. By allowing multiple payloads from different countries to share a single launch, SpaceX facilitates international collaboration and innovation in space technology.
For more details on the Bandwagon-3 mission, you can watch the launch coverage here:
