Zero 2 Infinity Company Profile

Background

Overview

Zero 2 Infinity is a private Spanish aerospace company specializing in high-altitude balloon technology to provide access to near space and low Earth orbit. Founded in 2009 by aerospace engineer José Mariano López-Urdiales, the company is headquartered in Barberà del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain. Zero 2 Infinity aims to simplify space access through innovative solutions, offering services for scientific research, satellite launches, and space tourism.

Mission and Vision

The company's mission is to provide easy access to space by elevating various payloads to the edge of space for testing and certification in space conditions. Zero 2 Infinity envisions a future where space access is frequent, affordable, secure, and reliable for everyone.

Industry Significance

Zero 2 Infinity is a pioneer in the European market for stratospheric balloon services, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional rocket launches. Its innovative approach has attracted attention from various sectors, including aerospace, scientific research, and tourism.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Simplified Space Access: Developing technologies to make space access more accessible and affordable.

Sustainability: Utilizing environmentally friendly methods for launching payloads to reduce the ecological impact of space missions.

Innovation: Continuously advancing aerospace technologies to meet the evolving needs of the space industry.

Areas of Specialization

Stratospheric Balloon Launches: Providing services to elevate payloads to near space for various applications.

Small Satellite Launches: Developing and operating the Bloostar system for launching small satellites into orbit.

Space Tourism: Designing and operating the Bloon capsule to offer near-space experiences to passengers.

Key Technologies Utilized

High-Altitude Balloons: Employing large helium balloons to carry payloads to the stratosphere.

Rockoon Technology: Combining balloons and rockets to launch small satellites into orbit.

Pressurized Capsules: Developing capsules like Bloon to safely transport passengers to near space.

Primary Markets Targeted

Aerospace Industry: Providing launch services for small satellites and payloads.

Scientific Research Institutions: Offering platforms for experiments and data collection in near-space conditions.

Tourism Sector: Introducing space tourism experiences for individuals seeking unique travel adventures.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Zero 2 Infinity has raised a total of $60,000 in funding.

Recent Funding Rounds

The company has completed an Angel funding round, with the latest round occurring in 2017.

Notable Investors

Specific details about individual investors are not publicly disclosed.

Utilization of Capital

The funds have been utilized for the development of the Bloostar satellite launcher, the Bloon space tourism capsule, and the Elevate service for payload launches to near space.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Bloostar: A balloon-launched small satellite launcher designed to deliver payloads to low Earth orbit.

Bloon: A pressurized capsule intended to provide near-space experiences for passengers, combining space tourism with scientific research opportunities.

Elevate: A service offering payload launches to near space for scientific, educational, and commercial purposes.

Stages of Development

Bloostar: Development began in 2013, with the first successful flight test conducted in March 2017. The company aims to offer commercial launches in the near future.

Bloon: The final design of the Bloon capsule was presented in July 2017, with plans to offer near-space experiences to passengers.

Elevate: Operational since 2013, providing services to elevate payloads to near space for various applications.

Target Conditions

Bloostar: Designed to launch small satellites into low Earth orbit.

Bloon: Aims to provide near-space experiences at altitudes up to 36 km.

Elevate: Targets altitudes between 20 and 42 km for payload launches.

Anticipated Milestones

Bloostar: Commercial launches are anticipated in the near future, following successful development and testing phases.

Bloon: Plans to offer near-space experiences to passengers, combining space tourism with scientific research opportunities.

Elevate: Continued operation of the service, providing payload launches to near space for various applications.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Bloostar Launcher: A balloon-launched small satellite launcher designed to deliver payloads to low Earth orbit.

Bloon Capsule: A pressurized capsule intended to provide near-space experiences for passengers, combining space tourism with scientific research opportunities.

Significant Scientific Methods

Rockoon Technology: Combining balloons and rockets to launch small satellites into orbit, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional rocket launches.

High-Altitude Ballooning: Utilizing large helium balloons to carry payloads to the stratosphere for scientific experiments and data collection.

Leadership Team

José Mariano López-Urdiales: Founder and CEO of Zero 2 Infinity. He is an aerospace engineer with extensive experience in the aerospace industry and has been instrumental in developing the company's innovative technologies.

Guillaume Girard: Partner at Zero 2 Infinity. He has been involved in the company's strategic initiatives and has contributed to its growth and development.

Market and Competitor Analysis

Market Insights and Dynamics

The market for small satellite launches and near-space experiences is growing, driven by advancements in technology and increasing demand for cost-effective and sustainable space access solutions. Zero 2 Infinity's innovative approach positions it as a key player in this evolving market.

Competitor Overview

Space Perspective: Offers high-altitude balloon flights for space tourism, providing passengers with near-space experiences.

World View: Provides stratospheric balloon flights for research, education, and tourism purposes.

PLD Space: Develops small satellite launch vehicles, focusing on providing cost-effective access to space.

Exos Aerospace: Develops reusable suborbital vehicles for research and commercial applications.

Celestia Aerospace: Provides space solutions within the aerospace industry, including the design, launch, and operation of nanosatellites.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Dassault Systèmes: Joined the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab program in 2017 to access software and technical support for Bloostar's development.

Indra: Partnered to develop the Bloon project, focusing on near-space experiences for passengers.

Operational Insights

Zero 2 Infinity's unique combination of balloon and rocket technology offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional rocket launches, providing a competitive edge in the small satellite launch market. Its focus on near-space experiences also differentiates it in the space tourism sector.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

The company aims to expand its services by offering commercial launches through Bloostar, providing near-space experiences via Bloon, and continuing to operate Elevate for payload launches to near space. Strategic partnerships and technological advancements will be key to achieving these objectives.