Andromach: Reusable Spaceplanes for Microgravity and Return Missions

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Access to microgravity has long been constrained by cost, limited launch opportunities, and restricted return capabilities. While launch services have become more accessible, the ability to conduct experiments in space and reliably bring results back to Earth remains a bottleneck. Andromach develops reusable spaceplane systems designed to provide flexible access to microgravity environments across suborbital and orbital missions. The company focuses on enabling short-duration experiments as well as longer in-orbit operations, with integrated payload return capabilities. By combining aircraft-like operations with rocket propulsion and runway recovery, the approach aims to support more iterative and scalable microgravity research and manufacturing workflows.

Technology and Product

Designing vehicles that operate across atmospheric and spaceflight regimes introduces complex propulsion and system integration challenges. Andromach develops reusable spaceplanes for suborbital and orbital missions, including the ENVOL suborbital hypersonic drone and the ÉTOILE orbital shuttle. The suborbital system uses a combination of turbojet engines for take-off and a rocket engine to reach space, enabling several minutes of microgravity for experiments. The orbital platform is designed to carry payloads of up to around 100 kg and return them to Earth via controlled re-entry and runway landing. The architecture integrates propulsion, thermal protection, and recovery systems to support repeatable missions and payload retrieval.

Reusable spaceplane architecture designed for microgravity experiments and payload return missions. (© Andromach)

Industrial Fit and Applications

The strongest demand for microgravity platforms emerges where rapid testing and iteration are critical. Andromach positions its systems for scientific research, in-space manufacturing, and technology validation. Typical applications include materials science, life sciences, and validation of space hardware such as sensors or satellite subsystems. Suborbital flights can provide short-duration microgravity for early-stage testing, while orbital missions enable longer experiments and payload return. The approach is particularly relevant where faster access cycles and recoverable payloads can improve development timelines and reduce dependency on traditional spaceflight infrastructure.

Microgravity conditions enable research in areas such as biotechnology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and physics. (© Andromach)

Founding Team

Andromach was founded by a team of seven co-founders, including Julien Senon (CEO) and Hugo Verjus (Deputy CEO), bringing together expertise in aerospace engineering, propulsion, systems design, and software. The founding team combines technical and operational capabilities to develop reusable spaceplane architectures for microgravity access and payload return across suborbital and orbital missions.