Madrid's Orbital Paradigm: Cheaper Orbital Reentry

A Skeptic's Leap into Space: Orbital Paradigm's Reentry Solution

Francesco Cacciatore, identifying as a skeptic, embarked on a notably optimistic venture after two decades within the European aerospace sector. Following what he described as a pivotal “crisis,” he initiated the founding of a space company.

During a recent discussion, he reflected on this turning point, stating, “One begins to question their path.” He was presented with several appealing opportunities, but ultimately determined that he desired to independently construct something new.

Addressing the Challenge of Reentry

This endeavor materialized as a focus on one of the most complex challenges in aerospace: the process of reentry. Alongside his co-founder, Víctor Gómez García, Cacciatore established Orbital Paradigm, a Madrid-based startup dedicated to developing a reentry capsule. Their aim is to facilitate access to new markets for materials manufactured in zero gravity.

Within a span of under two years, utilizing a team of nine individuals and a budget of less than €1 million, the company engineered a test capsule known as KID. This capsule serves as a precursor to a future reusable space capsule, named Kestrel. KID is intentionally streamlined, weighing approximately 25 kilograms and measuring around 16 inches in diameter, and lacks any propulsion capabilities. It will represent the startup’s inaugural deployment of hardware into orbit.

Early Customers and Funding

The initial demonstration mission’s clientele includes French space robotics company Alatyr, Germany’s Leibniz University Hannover, and an additional, currently undisclosed customer. To date, Orbital Paradigm has secured €1.5 million in seed funding from investors such as Id4, Demium, Pinama, Evercurious, and Akka.

Initially, Orbital Paradigm’s focus wasn’t on reentry capsules. The founders originally explored in-space robotics, however, potential clients consistently expressed a greater need for a system capable of reaching orbit, spending time there, and returning—on a repeatable basis.

The Demand for Repeat Access

Cacciatore explained that customers generally require access that isn’t a one-time event. He noted that institutions, startups, and established companies often seek to conduct flights between three and six times annually. The biotechnology sector presents a particularly promising market, as microgravity environments can enable the creation of novel materials, pharmaceuticals, and therapies, frequently necessitating repeated experimentation.

This realization led Orbital Paradigm to prioritize the development of a smaller capsule, differing from larger systems like SpaceX’s Dragon, which transports astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station. As Cacciatore clarified, “If the intention is to transport hundreds or thousands of kilograms, the payload is no longer the primary concern; rather, it’s the destination itself.”

A Growing Market

The market for orbital return capabilities is becoming increasingly competitive across both sides of the Atlantic. Varda Space Industries successfully completed the first commercial reentry in 2024, and Europe’s The Exploration Company achieved a controlled reentry with its own test vehicle earlier this year.

American startups, including Varda and Inversion Space, are benefiting from substantial investment, particularly from the Department of Defense and other agencies, in the form of grants and contracts focused on hypersonic testing and delivery systems. These funding sources often do not require the companies to relinquish equity.

Navigating Funding Challenges

“We do not have access to those resources,” Cacciatore conceded. “This is a key reason why we’ve concentrated on securing customers from the outset, as it’s the only viable path forward for us. We operate with tighter constraints, which may necessitate a more agile approach.”

Upcoming Missions and Goals

The first launch is imminent. Orbital Paradigm anticipates launching its inaugural mission within approximately three months, utilizing an as-yet-unnamed launch provider and carrying payloads from three customers. KID will not be recovered; the objective is to detach from the rocket, transmit data from orbit, withstand the extreme conditions of hypersonic reentry, and transmit a signal at least once before impacting in a designated, undisclosed location.

“Our design prioritizes avoiding the need for a precise landing site,” he stated, citing cost and complexity as key factors.

The second mission, planned for 2026, will involve a scaled-down version of Kestrel, equipped with a propulsion system and a parachute to guide the capsule to the Azores, where Portugal’s space agency is establishing a spaceport. This mission will not include an orbital phase—it will launch and spend roughly 30 minutes in microgravity before returning—but Orbital Paradigm will be able to recover both the vehicle and its payloads.

Looking Ahead

Cacciatore expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments to date, but maintained a realistic perspective on the challenges that lie ahead. “Until we launch, our achievements are limited,” he emphasized. “While discussions are valuable, a successful flight is the definitive measure of progress.”