earth Reentry
Delivery
Zephyr is Intuitive Machines' precision Earth reentry vehicle, engineered to deliver high-value payloads--like space-manufactured biotech and semiconductor materials--safely back to Earth. Designed for high-cadence flights and targeted landings, Zephyr is designed open access to orbital manufacturing, transforming in-orbit innovation into tangible, Earth-based impact.
Overview
Payload Capacity: 150kg​
Payload Volume: 3 ISS Locker Equivalents​
Nominal Mission Duration: 1-6 Weeks​
Maximum Mission Duration: 6 Months​
Launch: Commercial Rideshare​
Landing Loads: < 3g​
Landing Accuracy: < 50m
Partnered for commercial Progress
Intuitive Machines partnered with Rhodium Scientific for commercial microgravity biomanufacturing in space, where certain materials, processes and pharmaceuticals can be more efficiently produced or exhibit unique properties not possible on Earth. Rhodium is America's first commercial space biotech company, and led the largest biomanufacturing program ever conducted in space with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Intuitive Machines partnered with Space Forge to integrate semiconductor manufacturing use cases into the design of its Earth reentry vehicle, ensuring the system can support the safe return of ultra-pure materials made in microgravity. Space Forge’s expertise in orbital materials science informs Zephyr’s payload requirements and helps drive commercial readiness for space-based chip production.​
Intuitive Machines partners with San Jacinto College to develop a certified workforce capable of supporting the return of biopharmaceutical payloads from space. As the only institution in the southern United States offering National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT)-certified programs, San Jacinto College plays a critical role in preparing technicians to handle, inspect, and transfer pharmaceuticals delivered by Intuitive Machines’ precision Earth reentry vehicle. ​
INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL EARTH RETURN​
Microgravity Payload Development​
Earth Reentry Vehicle​
Landing Zone Infrastructure​
(Coming Soon)​
NIBRT-Certified Material Handling​
Biotechnology Applications
Soft flight loads and landing profile
Survivable conditions for delicate biological payloads enable landing in unprepared sites with minimal infrastructure
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Precision Landing
Steerable parafoil enables landing accuracy within 50m, reducing transportation of time-sensitive biological payloads within proximity of clinic or facility
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Extended Subsonic Cross Range
Flexible landing site selection within policy-positive regions
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Modular Payload Enclosure
Standardized interface and structure based on ISS Express Racks mirror existing industry infrastructure to accommodate late-load launch integration for time sensitive biological processes
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Payload Processing Facilities
Designed meet terrestrial biological standards with NIBRT-certified payload handling and recovery techniques
Path to return
2025
2026
Texas Space Commission Phase 1 Grant Award​
System Requirements Review​
Full-Scale Mock-Up Delivery​
Critical Design Review​
Phase 2 Grant Award​
