Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
Reflex Aerospace: We We reduce the development, production, and testing times for satellites from traditional manufacturers' two to four years 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 our customers only a fraction of the usual costs. AI-supported design and 3D printing help us achieve this. With our first microfactory in Munich, we will also launch series production of customized satellites this year.
Reflex Aerospace: “We are pioneers in Germany!”
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Reflex Aerospace: Not quite. And especially not from Germany! Reflex Aerospace fills the market gap between large "classic space" companies (with highly complex, multi-ton satellites that can cost tens of millions of euros) and manufacturers of nanosatellites (shoebox-sized, low-energy satellites whose cost-effective production is increasingly being outsourced outside of Europe). Our satellites, on the other hand, are “medium-sized” and weigh between 250 and 500 kg. We are pioneers in Germany!
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 dominated the high-end market. Smaller, more cost-effective alternatives largely came from the US, while Europe and Germany had a large market gap. This realization led to the founding of Reflex Aerospace.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Reflex Aerospace: As with any other startup, financing was a challenge for us. Startups in the new space sector have great difficulty raising funding, whether from 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 so far. Another major challenge is collaborating with traditional and slow corporations, as well as bureaucratic institutions.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Reflex Aerospace: We aim to fully ramp up our microfactory in Munich within a year. We want to use our innovative production facilities to mass-produce customized satellites. Within five years, we aim to achieve market leadership in Europe and establish a significant market presence in the US.
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 are located in Berlin, which is great for finding software developers. Munich, on the other hand, is the ideal match for Reflex Aerospace due to its startup scene and highly qualified engineers. Nowhere else in Germany is there such a booming new space scene like in MunichThe city is home to aerospace companies that are based here. This is a perfect fit for our microfactory. We are located at IABG in Ottobrunn. Tests have already been conducted here for the Ariane rocket and Airbus. This gives us easier access to all the tools we need to develop and test our Reflex satellites.
Munich Startup: Quick exit or long breath?
Reflex Aerospace: An IPO is, of course, our long-term goal. Before that, however, we will continue to work hard to create solid foundations and establish ourselves as a leading player in the industry in the coming years.
