Company:The Exploration Company

From HandWiki
The Exploration Company
IndustryAerospace
FoundedJuly 2021; 4 years ago (2021-07)
Headquarters
Munich
,
Germany
Key people
Hélène Huby (CEO)
ProductsNyx
Number of employees
200
Websitewww.exploration.space

The Exploration Company (TEC) is a European aerospace company[1] developing reusable spacecraft. Founded in 2021, TEC is headquartered in Munich and Bordeaux, with additional offices in Italy, the United States (in Houston) and the MENA region. The company embraces a pan-European identity.

TEC’s main project is developing Nyx, a family of modular, reusable spacecraft designed for missions to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), lunar orbit, and the Moon.[2] Its vehicles aim to serve cargo transport, re-entry missions, and future human spaceflight needs.[1]

Nyx Earth spacecraft

Design

The Nyx Earth vehicle is composed of a cylindrical service module and a conical space capsule. It measures 4 meters in diameter with a total mass of 8 tonnes.[3] It will be capable of carrying 4,000 kg of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO) for a maximum of 6 months, with up to 2,500 kg of pressurized cargo and 100 kg of unpressurized cargo being onboard the vehicle. The service module of the vehicle will be able to transport 1,400 kg of unpressurized cargo.[4] Nyx Earth will be able to fly freely for up to six months, and will be capable of docking to a space station in LEO.

Although the company's first missions are cargo-only, Nyx Earth is designed to eventually be able to transport humans.[5] The crewed version, capable of transporting 4 to 5 people to LEO, is expected to be available in the mid-2030s.[6][7]

Nyx Earth's interfaces are open, and its operating system is open-source software, which contributes to other space exploration projects whose technologies can inter-operate.[8][9][10] The Nyx capsule is modular in nature, with several configuration options for different mission objectives and destinations, while also being capable of launching on multiple vehicles.[11][12][13] Nyx Earth can be reused five times,[14] and will be capable of in-orbit refueling.[15]

Nyx Earth uses green propellants for altitude control and docking (high-test peroxide), as well as cryogenic bio-methane & oxygen for reaching lunar destinations.[16][17][18] The Nyx Earth spacecraft's initial missions will use the DS250 hypergolic bipropellant thrusters provided by Agile Space.[19]

Developmental flights

The Exploration Company developed two smaller-scale demonstrators. The first, nicknamed Bikini, is a capsule 60 centimeters in diameter weighing approximately 40 kilograms.[3][20] It was launched on the inaugural flight of Ariane 6 to validate the general profile of the capsule and thermal protection but it never reentered as the upper stage failed to deorbit.[21]

The second demonstrator, named Mission Possible, was a larger capsule measuring 2.5 m in diameter and weighing 1,600 kg, capable of carrying 300 kg of payload (reserved by the European Space Agency, the French CNES, and German DLR). Intended to validate a more controlled reentry with propulsion and landing via parachute,[22][3][20] it was launched by the Falcon 9 rideshare mission Transporter-14 in June 2025,[23] operated nominally in orbit, re-entered the atmosphere, and re-established communication after the expected re-entry blackout. However, communication with the capsule was lost before expected splash down. The company plans to re-fly the mission.[24][25]

As of 2023, the full-scale version, named Mission Odyssey, was planned to fly in 2026.[26] In November 2025, just before the ESA ministerial council expected to make a decision about further funding for the LEO Cargo Return Service (LCRS) initiative, TEC's CEO Hélène Huby said that with ESA funding, the company can perform the full-scale demonstration mission by 2028.[27]

Nyx Cislunar spacecraft

The Nyx Cislunar vehicle, of similar design to Nyx Earth, is proposed to deliver up to 5,000 kg to lunar orbit and up to 2,000 kg back to Earth.[28][29]

Nyx Moon spacecraft

The Nyx Moon lunar lander, of simple cylindrical design without the re-entry capsule, is proposed to deliver cargo to lunar surface.[29] It will use the company's GOX/GCH4-powered Breeze thrusters. This engine was test fired for the first time in July 2025.[2] As of 2024, the maiden flight of Nyx Moon was expected to take place in 2028.[30]

Oura spacecraft

TEC is developing the Oura spacecraft designed to dock with and refuel satellites in orbit. The project is supported by ESA's In-Space Proof-of-Concepts (InSPoC) initiative, part of Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP). Its first launch is planned for 2028.[31][32]

History

  • The Exploration Company was founded in July 2021 by Hélène Huby (CEO) with a group of space engineers who had worked together on European space programs at Airbus and ArianeGroup, including Orion-ESM and ATV.[33][34][3] In November 2021, the company raised 5 million euros.[35][4] In October 2022, The Exploration Company was among the space firms selected to be financed by the "France 2030" investment plan for its work on its liquid methane rocket engine.[36]

2023

  • In February 2023, the company announced a fundraising of 40 million euros to develop its Nyx capsule, successfully completed,[3] making it the largest series A in the space industry in Europe.[37]
  • On May 29, 2023, the Exploration Company was awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to study solutions for future European single-use and reusable spacecraft, covering micro-mini, medium, heavy and crewed applications. In total, ESA awarded four contracts on this topic. The other three went to the companies ArianeGroup, Avio and SENER. These four contracts are intended to contribute to the realization of ESA's Vision 2030+, which was initiated in 2021. It aims to create small, medium, and heavy support vessels based on a common set of reusable, standardized modules.[38]
  • In July 2023, the company was once again one of the space companies that secured financing from the same French state investment plan; it did so this time for its DEMARLUS project.[39]
  • In September 2023, the company announced an agreement with Axiom Space for the cargo supply of its station in the form of a pre-contract subject to validation of technological milestones during the development of its spacecraft.[40]

2024

  • In January 2024, the company began working on a reusable rocket engine, Typhoon.[41][42]
  • In June 2024, the company signed a contract with Vast Space for cargo missions.[44]
  • In July 2024, TEC launched its first demonstration mission, nicknamed Bikini, on Ariane 6's first flight.[21]
  • In November 2024, the company raised $160 million in Series B funding for the development of its Nyx cargo vehicle.[45]

2025

  • In February 2025, the German aerospace agency DLR announced that it had signed a contract with TEC to serve as an anchor customer for its microgravity research service using the Nyx vehicle.[46]
  • In June 2025, TEC launched its second demonstration mission, named Mission Possible, on Falcon 9.[47]
  • In July 2025, TES has test fired the Nyx Moon's Breeze thrusters for the first time at the company's testing facility in Bordeaux.[2]
  • In August 2025, the Nyx Earth spacecraft has passed Phase 1 of the International Space Station Safety Review.[48]
  • In October 2025, TEC has opened its new headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.[49]
  • In late October 2025, TEC has concluded an extensive wind-tunnel testing campaign, validating the Nyx Earth's behaviour across the entire flight regime from subsonic to hypersonic conditions, at the DLR's facilities in Cologne.[50]
  • In November 2025, TEC has completed an initial test campaign of the Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) shield of Nyx at the German Institute for High-Speed Dynamics.[50]
  • Later in November 2025, TEC has acquired German metal additive manufacturing company Thrustworks[51] and inaugurated a new facility in Le Haillan, France, hosting the company's propulsion, thermal protection, and systems engineering teams, as well as the mission control centre.[27]
  • In December 2025, TEC awarded a contract to Redwire to build two IDSS-compliant International Berthing and Docking Mechanisms (IBDMs) for the Nyx spacecraft.[52]

2026

  • In January 2026, TEC started negotiating about a possible acquisition of the UK-based rocket company Orbex.[53]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Exploration Company" (in en-US). https://www.eu-startups.com/directory/the-exploration-company-2/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Parsonson, Andrew (2025-07-17). "The Exploration Company Tests Thruster for Nyx Moon Lunar Lander" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-tests-thrusters-for-nyx-moon-lunar-lander/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Rainbow, Jason (2023-02-02). "European startup gets $44 million for space station transportation vehicles" (in en-US). https://spacenews.com/european-startup-gets-44-million-for-space-station-transportation-vehicles/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Parsonson, Andrew (2022-02-23). "The Exploration Company aims to offer Europe independent access to space" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-aims-to-offer-europe-independent-access-to-space/. 
  5. ↑ Hassan Meddah (1 February 2023). "The Exploration Company, la start-up franco-allemande qui veut révolutionner la logistique spatiale". https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/the-exploration-company-la-start-up-franco-allemande-qui-veut-revolutionner-la-logistique-spatiale.N2095456. 
  6. ↑ "Un intérieur façon SpaceX pour la future capsule européenne Nyx" (in fr). https://www.cieletespace.fr/actualites/un-interieur-facon-spacex-pour-la-future-capsule-europeenne-nyx. 
  7. ↑ Maglione, Mariasole (2025-06-17). "The Exploration Company ha presentato il piano per una versione con equipaggio della capsula Nyx" (in it-IT). https://www.astrospace.it/2025/06/17/the-exploration-company-ha-presentato-il-piano-per-una-versione-con-equipaggio-della-capsula-nyx/. 
  8. ↑ FinSMEs (2023-02-01). "The Exploration Company Raises €40M in Series A Funding" (in en-US). https://www.finsmes.com/2023/02/the-exploration-company-raises-e40m-in-series-a-funding.html. 
  9. ↑ Kulu, Erik. "The Exploration Company - Factories in Space" (in en). https://www.factoriesinspace.com/the-exploration-company. 
  10. ↑ "Germany-based The Exploration Company bags €40.5M from EQT Ventures, others to advance space democratisation efforts | Silicon Canals" (in en-US). 2023-02-01. https://siliconcanals.com/news/startups/the-exploration-company-bags-40-5m/. 
  11. ↑ "NYX | The Exploration Company" (in en-GB). https://bsgn.esa.int/service/nyx-the-exploration-company/. 
  12. ↑ "The Exploration Company" (in en). https://vsquared.vc/portfolio/the-exploration-company/. 
  13. ↑ "SpaceX challenger raises €40m to build Europe's first reusable rocket" (in en-US). 2023-02-01. https://sifted.eu/articles/spacex-challenger-europe-rocket-exploration/. 
  14. ↑ Neuhauser, Alan (2023-02-01). "The Exploration Company raises €40M for green space capsule" (in en). https://www.axios.com/pro/climate-deals/2023/02/01/exploration-company-40m-green-space-capsule. 
  15. ↑ P, Madeleine (2025-05-27). "A European Competitor to Space X? Meet The Exploration Company and Its 3D Printed Space Vehicle" (in en-US). https://www.3dnatives.com/en/space-x-meet-the-exploration-company-and-280520254/. 
  16. ↑ "The Exploration Company | Space Impulse" (in en). https://app.spaceimpulse.com/o/the-exploration-company. 
  17. ↑ Garrett Reim. "The Exploration Company Raises €40m For Reusable Space Capsule | Aviation Week Network". https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/commercial-space/exploration-company-raises-eu40m-reusable-space-capsule. 
  18. ↑ "The Exploration Company Selects Benchmark Space Systems Propulsion System To Power its 'Mission Possible' Demonstrator Flight in 2024" (in en). 14 October 2022. https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/the-exploration-company. 
  19. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-08-14). "The Exploration Company Taps Agile Space for Nyx Earth Thrusters" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-taps-agile-space-for-nyx-earth-thrusters/. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Alexandre Laurent (20 January 2023). "Espace : The Exploration Company veut diviser par 4 le prix de la logistique spatiale". https://www.placeco.fr/gironde/demain/article/espace-the-exploration-company-veut-diviser-par-4-le-prix-de-la-logistique-spatiale-2202. .
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Beil, Adrian (2024-07-09). "Ariane 6 successfully launches on maiden flight from French Guiana" (in en-US). https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/07/ariane-6-maiden-launch/. 
  22. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-05-07). "The Exploration Company Ships Completed Mission Possible Capsule" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-ships-completed-mission-possible-capsule/. 
  23. ↑ "Live coverage: SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 rocket on Transporter-14 smallsat rideshare mission – Spaceflight Now" (in en-US). https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/06/22/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-falcon-9-rocket-on-transporter-14-smallsat-rideshare-mission/. 
  24. ↑ "Mission Possible Status Update - Partial Success. | The Exploration Company" (in en). https://www.linkedin.com/posts/exploration-company_mission-possible-status-update-partial-activity-7343174810451021825-Rq89. 
  25. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-06-24). "The Exploration Company Declares Mission Possible a “Partial Success”" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-declares-mission-possible-a-partial-success/. 
  26. ↑ "The Exploration Company Secures €40 Million Funding". 2 February 2023. https://spacewatch.global/2023/02/the-exploration-company-secures-e40-million-funding/. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Parsonson, Andrew (2025-11-24). "The Exploration Company Inaugurates New Facility in France" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-inaugurates-new-facility-in-france/. 
  28. ↑ Patrascu, Daniel (2025-06-20). "European Spacecraft Has the Coolest Name Ever, Gulfstream Jet to Chase It on Re-Entry" (in en). https://www.autoevolution.com/news/european-spacecraft-has-the-coolest-name-ever-gulfstream-jet-to-chase-it-on-re-entry-253239.html. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Nyx | The Exploration Company" (in en). https://www.exploration.space/nyx. 
  30. ↑ "CNES: THE EXPLORATION COMPANY". https://cnes.fr/sites/default/files/2024-06/THE_EXPLORATION_COMPANY_2023-02-27.pdf. 
  31. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-12-11). "The Exploration Company is Developing an In-Orbit Serving Vehicle" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-is-developing-an-in-orbit-serving-vehicle/. 
  32. ↑ "The Exploration Company awarded InSPoC-1 Phase B2 by ESA within future space transportation programme (FLPP)" (in en). https://www.exploration.space/blog/the-exploration-company-awarded-inspoc-1-phase-b2-by-esa-within-future-space-transportation-programme-flpp. 
  33. ↑ Alamalhodaei, Aria (2022-07-28). "The Exploration Company is developing a brand new reusable orbital spacecraft" (in en-US). https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/28/the-exploration-company-is-developing-a-brand-new-reusable-orbital-spacecraft/. 
  34. ↑ Root, Al. "SpaceX Isn't the Only Space Company That Can Raise Money" (in en-US). https://www.barrons.com/articles/exploration-company-space-capital-raising-51675264456. 
  35. ↑ Damien Copitet (19 March 2023). "The Exploration Company lève 40 millions d’euros". https://www.planetegrandesecoles.com/the-exploration-company-levee-de-fonds-vaisseaux. .
  36. ↑ "France 2030 : Présentation des premiers résultats du volet spatial" (PDF). 6 October 2022. https://www.gouvernement.fr/sites/default/files/contenu/piece-jointe/2022/10/200_-_dp_-_presentation_des_laureats_de_lappel_a_projets_de_france_2030_spatial.pdf. .
  37. ↑ Vincent Lamigeon (1 February 2023). "Nyx, la capsule spatiale européenne qui veut concurrencer SpaceX". https://www.challenges.fr/entreprise/nyx-la-future-capsule-spatiale-europeenne-qui-veut-concurrencer-spacex_844024. .
  38. ↑ "Signature of industrial contracts for the consolidation of the common building blocks for future European reusable launch systems" (in en). 2023-05-29. https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Signature_of_industrial_contracts_for_the_consolidation_of_the_common_building_blocks_for_future_European_reusable_launch_systems. 
  39. ↑ "Présentation des résultats du volet spatial de France 2030" (PDF). 5 July 2023. https://www.economie.gouv.fr/files/files/2023/PRESENTATION%20DES%20RESULTATS%20DU%20VOLET%20SPATIAL%20DE%20FRANCE%202030.pdf. .
  40. ↑ Michel Cabirol (12 September 2023). "Spatial : Et le jour de gloire est arrivé pour The Exploration Company". https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/spatial-et-le-jour-de-gloire-est-arrive-pour-the-exploration-company-975740.html. .
  41. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2024-01-08). "The Exploration Company Begin CNES Backed Rocket Engine Development" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-begin-cnes-backed-rocket-engine-development/. 
  42. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-07-31). "The Exploration Company Tests Key Component of Typhoon Rocket Engine" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-tests-key-component-of-typhoon-rocket-engine/. 
  43. ↑ Foust, Jeff (2024-05-22). "ESA selects Thales Alenia Space and The Exploration Company for commercial cargo program" (in en-US). https://spacenews.com/esa-selects-thales-alenia-space-and-the-exploration-company-for-commercial-cargo-program/. 
  44. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2024-06-11). "Vast Contracts The Exploration Company for Cargo Mission" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/vast-contracts-the-exploration-company-for-cargo-mission/. 
  45. ↑ Foust, Jeff (2024-11-18). "The Exploration Company raises $160 million for Nyx cargo vehicle" (in en-US). http://spacenews.com/the-exploration-company-raises-160-million-for-nyx-cargo-vehicle/. 
  46. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-02-20). "The Exploration Company Secures DLR as an Anchor Customer" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-secures-dlr-as-an-anchor-customer/. 
  47. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-06-24). "The Exploration Company Declares Mission Possible a “Partial Success”" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-declares-mission-possible-a-partial-success/. 
  48. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-08-26). "The Exploration Company’s Nyx Spacecraft Passes Initial ISS Safety Review" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-companys-nyx-spacecraft-passes-initial-iss-safety-review/. 
  49. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-10-30). "The Exploration Company Opens New HQ in Oberpfaffenhofen" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-opens-new-hq-in-oberpfaffenhofen/. 
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Parsonson, Andrew (2025-11-14). "The Exploration Company Tests Nyx Micrometeoroid Shielding" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-tests-nyx-micrometeoroid-shielding/. 
  51. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-11-20). "The Exploration Company Acquires German Additive Manufacturing Company" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-acquires-german-additive-manufacturing-company/. 
  52. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-12-20). "Redwire Tapped to Provide Docking Mechanisms for Nyx Earth Capsule" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/redwire-tapped-to-provide-docking-mechanisms-for-nyx-earth-capsule/. 
  53. ↑ "The Exploration Company in Talks to Buy UK Rocket Builder Orbex". European Spaceflight. 21 January 2026. https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-in-talks-to-buy-uk-rocket-builder-orbex/. 



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Company:The_Exploration_Company&oldid=4201642"