KID (spacecraft)

KID
Mission typeAtmospheric entry technology demonstration
Operator Orbital Paradigm
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeUncrewed space capsule
Launch mass25 kg
Payload mass2 kg
Dimensions40 cm (diameter)
Start of mission
Launch date12 January 2026, 04:48:30 UTC
RocketPSLV-C62
Launch siteSatish Dhawan Space Centre
Contractor ISRO
Deployed fromPSLV 4th stage
End of mission
DisposalOcean impact
Landing date12 January 2026
Landing siteSouth Indian Ocean

KID (Kestrel Initial Demonstrator) was a small experimental space capsule developed by the Spanish company Orbital Paradigm, with the support of European Space Agency's FLPP, as a subscale demonstrator for the future reusable space capsule Kestrel. According to the company, KID was constructed in one year by less than 10 engineers for less than one million Euros. KID's flight in 2026 was only partially successful due to a launch vehicle failure.