ATMOS is currently preparing for an initial test flight of its PHOENIX capsule, which is designed to host up to 100 kilograms of in-orbit experiments before returning them safely to Earth. The capsule relies on an inflatable heat shield to withstand the rigours of reentry. This initial test flight is expected to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket no earlier than April 2025.
On 17 February, the company announced that it had secured €13.1 million in new funding from the EIC Accelerator Programme, comprising a non-refundable grant and an investment component. The company stated that the funding will be used to expand its engineering and testing capabilities and accelerate the development of its next-generation PHOENIX 2 capsule. In its official press release, ATMOS noted that as part of the award, it is required to complete “two PHOENIX 2 flights within a specified timeframe.”