Our vision
Protecting our planet. Providing access to space.
We enable 24/7 access to space at a minimal cost and with zero environmental impact.
We are determined to end the current practice of single-use, expendable rockets. When it comes to production and shipping to launch sites, these rockets come with an enormous carbon footprint. Not only that but, after launch, they either burn up in our atmosphere or end up in our oceans. KST develops technology to recover and reuse rockets and to bring back any type of cargo from space.
Our location
Project
We are the only company worldwide offering a scalable solution to bring back cargo from space. From shoebox-sized scientific experiments to the largest rocket stages, our approach is tailored to each individual object and our method is highly cost efficient.
We develop Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerators (IADs), which function both as heat shields, protecting their precious cargo during re-entry into the atmosphere, and high-velocity parachutes.
Unlike the propulsive landing method used by SpaceX and Blue Origin to return their rockets, our technology uses zero fuel. This is not only better for the environment but it also makes our solution more lightweight. In fact, IADs are so lightweight that they can be used to recover and reuse microlaunchers. They can also be retrofitted to make almost any rocket stage reusable.
Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerators have successfully been tested by NASA and the ESA. The materials must be able to withstand high stresses from aerothermodynamic loads and external temperatures of more than 1000 °C during atmospheric re-entry, which is why we use ceramic fabric for the IAD.
For the IAD’s structure, we use carbon-fiber reinforced polymers. Thanks to our choice of materials and the absence of fuel, the IADs are very lightweight. Our technology typically weighs less than half of what is needed to return a typical rocket stage using the propulsive landing method.
Our patent pending technology has been developed over several years. The IAD, which is aerodynamically stowed at launch, deploys to enclose and protect a rocket stage upon re-entry, descent and landing. To inflate the IAD, we use a small amount of cold gas in the vacuum of space. During atmospheric flight, air from the boundary layer is pushed inside the IAD by electric turbines. This is what allows the technology to be so lightweight while also ensuring a stable shape. When the rocket stage splashes down into the ocean for recovery, it lands tip first. As they are protected by the IAD, the rocket engines never touch the corrosive salt water.
Thanks to our IAD’s modular design, it can be easily tailored to any rocket stage. It also means we can save on costs as we develop the technology and extend the functionality to cover the transportation of a wide range of cargo down from space, including free flying experiments and experimental equipment from space stations.
Looking ahead at future markets, the IAD can provide down-mass capacity for manufacturing in space (e.g., ZBLAN glass fiber, high-purity crystals and alloys as well as 3D printing).
Project
Based on our patent pending IAD technology, we are developing an end-to-end Space Return Service. We are offering our services in the form of early development partnerships with our customers. We tailor our IADs to the customer’s needs, from integration, tests and mission support, to the water landing and recovery. Whatever it is you want to bring down from space, we will do it for you. Safely.
Location
Our international team builds European high-end technology at Baden Airpark, located on the Franco-German border. The proximity to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport means that we are well placed in terms of air, sea, rail and road logistics. Our site is also close to world-class academic institutions, including the University of Stuttgart, the International Space University in Strasbourg and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The beautiful natural setting of the nearby Black Forest National Park and the Rhine River offers plenty of opportunities for rest and recreation and is a constant reminder of why we do what we do.
Our vision
Protecting our planet. Providing access to space.
We enable 24/7 access to space at a minimal cost and with zero environmental impact.
We are determined to end the current practice of single-use, expendable rockets. When it comes to production and shipping to launch sites, these rockets come with an enormous carbon footprint. Not only that but, after launch, they either burn up in our atmosphere or end up in our oceans. KST develops technology to recover and reuse rockets and to bring back any type of cargo from space.
Our location
Project
We are the only company worldwide offering a scalable solution to bring back cargo from space. From shoebox-sized scientific experiments to the largest rocket stages, our approach is tailored to each individual object and our method is highly cost efficient.
We develop Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerators (IADs), which function both as heat shields, protecting their precious cargo during re-entry into the atmosphere, and high-velocity parachutes.
Unlike the propulsive landing method used by SpaceX and Blue Origin to return their rockets, our technology uses zero fuel. This is not only better for the environment but it also makes our solution more lightweight. In fact, IADs are so lightweight that they can be used to recover and reuse microlaunchers. They can also be retrofitted to make almost any rocket stage reusable.
Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerators have successfully been tested by NASA and the ESA. The materials must be able to withstand high stresses from aerothermodynamic loads and external temperatures of more than 1000 °C during atmospheric re-entry, which is why we use ceramic fabric for the IAD.
For the IAD’s structure, we use carbon-fiber reinforced polymers. Thanks to our choice of materials and the absence of fuel, the IADs are very lightweight. Our technology typically weighs less than half of what is needed to return a typical rocket stage using the propulsive landing method.
Our patent pending technology has been developed over several years. The IAD, which is aerodynamically stowed at launch, deploys to enclose and protect a rocket stage upon re-entry, descent and landing. To inflate the IAD, we use a small amount of cold gas in the vacuum of space. During atmospheric flight, air from the boundary layer is pushed inside the IAD by electric turbines. This is what allows the technology to be so lightweight while also ensuring a stable shape. When the rocket stage splashes down into the ocean for recovery, it lands tip first. As they are protected by the IAD, the rocket engines never touch the corrosive salt water.
Thanks to our IAD’s modular design, it can be easily tailored to any rocket stage. It also means we can save on costs as we develop the technology and extend the functionality to cover the transportation of a wide range of cargo down from space, including free flying experiments and experimental equipment from space stations.
Looking ahead at future markets, the IAD can provide down-mass capacity for manufacturing in space (e.g., ZBLAN glass fiber, high-purity crystals and alloys as well as 3D printing).
Project
Based on our patent pending IAD technology, we are developing an end-to-end Space Return Service. We are offering our services in the form of early development partnerships with our customers. We tailor our IADs to the customer’s needs, from integration, tests and mission support, to the water landing and recovery. Whatever it is you want to bring down from space, we will do it for you. Safely.
Location
Our international team builds European high-end technology at Baden Airpark, located on the Franco-German border. The proximity to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport means that we are well placed in terms of air, sea, rail and road logistics. Our site is also close to world-class academic institutions, including the University of Stuttgart, the International Space University in Strasbourg and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The beautiful natural setting of the nearby Black Forest National Park and the Rhine River offers plenty of opportunities for rest and recreation and is a constant reminder of why we do what we do.