Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem are you solving?
Reflex Aerospace: We reduce the development, production, and testing times for satellites from two to four years, as required by traditional manufacturers, to approximately nine months. Our rule of thumb is: three months for development, three months for production, and three months for testing. We follow a payload-oriented design approach. Our focus is clearly on high-performance satellites that are reliable and cost only a fraction of the usual price for our customers. AI-supported design and 3D printing help us achieve this. With our first microfactory in Munich, we are also starting series production of custom-made satellites later this year.
Reflex Aerospace: “We are pioneers in Germany!”
Munich Startup: But that already exists!
Reflex Aerospace: Not exactly. And especially not from Germany! Reflex Aerospace fills the market gap between large “Classic Space” companies (with highly complex, ton-heavy satellites that can cost hundreds of millions or even billions of euros) and nanosatellite manufacturers (shoebox-sized, low-power satellites whose cost-effective production is increasingly shifting to non-European countries). Our satellites, by contrast, are “medium-sized” and weigh between 250 and 500 kilograms. In Germany, we are pioneers!
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Reflex Aerospace: Three years ago, our founders came together because they noticed that established satellite manufacturers and large companies dominate the high-end market. Smaller and more cost-effective alternatives come mostly from the USA, while Europe and Germany had a major market gap. This realization led to the founding of Reflex Aerospace.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Reflex Aerospace: Like any other startup, financing has been a challenge for us. Startups in the New Space sector have great difficulty securing funding, whether through venture capitalists or government support. Fortunately, we have managed to bring a strong network of investors on board and have raised a total of 11 million euros so far. Another major challenge is working with traditional, sluggish corporations as well as bureaucratic institutions.
Munich Startup: Where do you want to stand in one year, and where in five years?
Reflex Aerospace: In one year, we aim to have our microfactory in Munich fully operational. We want to manufacture custom-made satellites in series with our innovative production facilities. Within five years, we are targeting market leadership in Europe and want to establish a significant market presence in the USA.
Munich offers the ideal environment for New Space startups
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Reflex Aerospace: Our headquarters is in Berlin, which is great for finding software developers. Munich, on the other hand, is the ideal complement for Reflex Aerospace due to its founder scene and highly qualified engineers. Nowhere in Germany is there such a booming New Space scene as in Munich. The city is home to aerospace and space companies. This fits perfectly with our microfactory. We are located at IABG in Ottobrunn. Tests for the Ariane rocket and Airbus have already been conducted here. This gives us easy access to all the tools we need to develop and test our Reflex satellites.
Munich Startup: Fast exit or long-term approach?
Reflex Aerospace: An IPO for the company is of course our long-term goal. Before that, however, we will continue to work hard to create solid conditions and establish ourselves as a leading player in the industry over the coming years.
