Aurora Avionics supports ATMOS PHOENIX 2.1 with onboard data acquisition systems

Scotland’s Aurora Avionics, an emerging leader in aerospace electronics, will work with European space transportation and re-entry logistics provider ATMOS Space Cargo to supply data acquisition systems for the upcoming PHOENIX 2.1 mission.

PHOENIX is a reusable orbital transfer and return vehicle (OTRV) designed for fully integrated orbital logistics and operations for autonomous manufacturing and research in microgravity. ATMOS’s service combines launcher and customer payload integration, in-orbit operations, and controlled return and recovery on Earth. The partnership will see Aurora deliver two modular data acquisition units which will be integrated into the PHOENIX 2 spacecraft.

PHOENIX 2 is a reusable spacecraft designed to complete a full trip to space and back, including in-orbit operations and controlled payload return to Earth, complementary to crewed space station infrastructure.

The DAQ data acquisition hardware from Aurora Avionics will support the collection of environmental and structural data such as temperature, pressure and mechanical loads throughout the mission, including re-entry and recovery, contributing to vehicle validation and future system development.

Aurora’s modular avionics systems provide a flexible, stackable approach that allows ATMOS to tailor the technology to the company’s mission profile.

OREN Smith-Carpenter, CEO of Aurora Avionics, said: “Partnering with ATMOS Space Cargo marks a significant milestone in our growth as we expand into the satellite market for the first time. It demonstrates our avionics technology can support complex missions beyond launch vehicles and into long-duration orbital operations.

“ATMOS Space Cargo's vision for commercial space missions that can operate and return to Earth without relying on space stations is ambitious and exciting. It aligns perfectly with our mission to support high-impact space missions with modular, stackable and robust avionics.

“This contract shows the versatility of our systems, which are now being deployed for launch operations and in-orbit missions that demand sustained data capture, precision and resilience.”

Founded in 2023 and based in Edinburgh, Aurora Avionics designs and manufactures modular avionics systems. These are the core electronic systems that control and monitor spacecraft operations. Often referred to as the 'nervous system' of a vehicle, avionics enable a spacecraft to gather data, stay stable, adjust its position, manage power and communicate with Earth.

Avionics are essential to every phase of a space mission. Without them, it would be impossible to safely guide, operate or recover any orbital vehicle. Aurora’s technology makes these systems lighter, more adaptable and easier to integrate, reducing barriers for both established and emerging space companies.

ATMOS Space Cargo, headquartered in Germany and France, is building reusable orbital logistics platforms. Its PHOENIX 2.1 vehicle, planned to launch in 2026, is part of a broader multi-flight programme aimed at enabling independent access to and return from Low Earth Orbit for scientific and industrial payloads.

With its PHOENIX vehicle family and an end-to-end orbital logistics service, ATMOS addresses multiple long-standing challenges in spaceflight, including highly limited return capacity for research and manufacturing payloads, high costs associated with one-off systems, and reliance on crewed space station infrastructure such as the International Space Station, which is currently planned to be decommissioned by 2030. Aurora’s data acquisition systems will support ATMOS by enabling the collection of environmental and structural data required for vehicle validation and future system development.

Designed for reuse, the PHOENIX vehicle family aims to reduce operational complexity and improve the efficiency of orbital return missions over time. The collaboration with Aurora Avionics for mission data collection supports ATMOS’s engineering teams during the validation phase.

Smith-Carpenter added: “We are proud to support a programme that will help establish Europe’s leadership in return logistics and space-based research. Our systems are built to deliver the flexibility, resilience and performance that missions like PHOENIX 2 require.”

Jeffrey Hendrikse, ATMOS co-founder and Chief Technical Officer, said: “Aurora’s team demonstrated a clear understanding of the demanding requirements by space transportation infrastructure providers.

“We were looking for a reliable and flexible data acquisition system that integrates cleanly into our spacecraft architecture. Their collaborative engineering approach and ability to adapt to our technical requirements make them a strong partner for our upcoming mission.”

The PHOENIX 2.1 mission is planned to launch in 2026. Data gathered over a multi-week period in orbit will support system validation across all mission phases.

This mission forms part of Europe’s broader effort to establish commercially viable return capabilities for scientific payloads from Low Earth Orbit, independent of crewed space station infrastructure.