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Spanish Startup Orbital Paradigm Launches Kestrel Reentry Vehicle

9/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Orbital Paradigm, a Spanish startup founded in 2023, is developing the reusable Kestrel reentry vehicle for cargo missions.
Its first mission, using the KID demonstrator, is scheduled for late 2025, carrying payloads for ALATYR and Leibniz University Hannover.
KID, a 25 kg prototype, will transmit data during reentry without recovery.
The initial mission costs under €1 million, thanks to efficient part integration and in-house engineering.
Orbital Paradigm aims for monthly flights by the 2030s, with a second mission planned for 2026.

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Story summary

Orbital Paradigm, a Spanish startup founded in 2023, is developing the reusable Kestrel reentry vehicle for cargo missions.
Its first mission, using the KID demonstrator, is scheduled for late 2025, carrying payloads for ALATYR and Leibniz University Hannover.
KID, a 25 kg prototype, will transmit data during reentry without recovery.
The initial mission costs under €1 million, thanks to efficient part integration and in-house engineering.
Orbital Paradigm aims for monthly flights by the 2030s, with a second mission planned for 2026.