In October 2026, the student space project P.H.I.L.E.A.S. will launch into the stratosphere using our membrane technology. The mission’s goal is to collect microplastic particles at high altitudes and thereby gain new insights into their distribution in the atmosphere.
Microplastics are increasingly being detected in the air and can be transported over long distances. Nevertheless, little is known so far about how these particles are distributed in the atmosphere and what altitudes they reach. PHILEAS addresses this very issue and makes an important contribution to closing this knowledge gap.
Collaboration Between Research and Technology
The project is being developed by students at the Technical University of Munich as part of WARR (Scientific Working Group for Rocket Technology and Spaceflight) and implemented through the international REXUS/BEXUS program. The experimental platform is transported to high altitudes using a stratospheric balloon.
Our membrane technology is at the heart of the experiment: During flight, ambient air is passed through our gold-coated i3 TrackPor polycarbonate membranes. These are specifically designed to reliably capture particles ranging in size from approximately 5 µm to 5 mm and make them available for subsequent analysis.
Contribution to Environmental Research and Innovation
After returning to Earth, the samples are analyzed to determine the concentration and composition of microplastics in the stratosphere.
Through our contribution to PHILEAS, we demonstrate how our technologies can be used even under extreme conditions—while also contributing to research on global environmental issues.
For more insights into the project, follow us on Instagram at @phileas_warr and visit our website at: https://warr.de/projects/move/bexus-phileas/