What is SpaceX Bandwagon-3, a mission taking payloads from three different countries |

On April 21, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This launch is a a part of the Bandwagon-3 mission, which is a rideshare program of SpaceX. Much like a carpool in area, the mission allowed a number of small satellites and area applied sciences from different countries to share a single rocket trip into orbit, considerably chopping down the price of entry to area. The launch featured Germany’s Phoenix 1 re-entry capsule, South Korea’s 425Sat-3 navy surveillance satellite tv for pc, and the U.S.-based Tomorrow.io’s Tomorrow-S7 climate satellite tv for pc, all driving aboard the identical rocket. This mission marked a huge leap not solely in area logistics but in addition in worldwide collaboration and private-sector innovation.

What is Bandwagon-3’s payload, Phoenix 1? A German capsule with a mission

One of probably the most notable payloads on Bandwagon-3 was Phoenix 1, developed by the German firm Atmos Space Cargo. This small capsule was designed to journey to area and safely return to Earth, one thing solely a few area businesses and firms have achieved. After orbiting Earth simply as soon as, Phoenix 1 is anticipated to splash down within the Atlantic Ocean, about 2,000 kilometres off the coast of Brazil.
This mission marks the first-ever re-entry try by a non-public European firm, making it a main achievement for the continent’s business area business.

What is the true mission of Phoenix 1

Phoenix 1 isn’t simply making a spherical journey. It’s right here to check key expertise. The foremost purpose is to look at the efficiency of its inflatable warmth protect, a essential element for surviving the extreme warmth of Earth’s environment throughout re-entry.
If profitable, Phoenix 1 will pave the way in which for future capsules able to bringing again scientific experiments, space-manufactured items, and even navy or medical supplies. A chase aircraft will try and comply with and movie the re-entry, particularly through the “plasma blackout” — a second when communication is misplaced because of the searing warmth.

Beyond Phoenix 1: Meet the opposite key satellites on Bandwagon-3

Bandwagon-3 wasn’t nearly Phoenix 1. Two different essential satellites had been onboard:

Cost-effective rideshare: How the Bandwagon program works

SpaceX’s Bandwagon rideshare missions supply reasonably priced entry to orbit for smaller payloads, making it simpler for startups, analysis teams, and nationwide businesses to succeed in area. A base value of $300,000 covers a 50 kg payload, with further area priced flexibly. Payloads are mounted on an ESPA ring, permitting for a number of satellites to trip collectively, securely and effectively.
This shared launch mannequin displays a shift towards collaborative, low-cost area entry, just like carpooling on Earth, however in orbit.

Building on momentum: Bandwagon and transporter missions

Bandwagon-3 is the third launch on this particular rideshare collection, following missions in April and December 2024. It runs alongside SpaceX’s Transporter program, which made headlines in 2021 by launching a file 143 satellites in a single mission. Together, these applications have made SpaceX the go-to service for low-cost, high-frequency launches, reshaping the satellite tv for pc business.

The larger image: Why Bandwagon-3 issues

This mission represents extra than simply a profitable launch. It’s a demonstration of how far business spaceflight has come. From navy reconnaissance to climate monitoring and space-to-Earth return capsules, Bandwagon-3 reveals the huge vary of companies that fashionable rockets can assist.
Most importantly, it alerts a future the place area is extra accessible, collaborative, and sensible, not only for governments, however for personal firms and analysis organisations world wide. If Phoenix 1’s return goes as deliberate, it might spark a new period of reusable area cargo, making the journey to and from orbit extra routine and extra reasonably priced than ever earlier than.