The Exploration Company (TEC) is a Franco-German spacecraft manufacturer founded in 2021 with the mission to democratize space exploration. They are developing, manufacturing, and operating the Nyx space capsule, a modular and reusable orbital vehicle designed for cargo transport to destinations like the ISS and future commercial space stations, with future capabilities for human transport and lunar missions. TEC aims to provide affordable and sustainable space transportation services and has secured contracts with major players like ESA and NASA. Key words: Space capsule, reusable spacecraft, cargo transport, space logistics, Nyx, ESA, NASA.
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The Exploration Company is leading a consortium that includes Thales Alenia Space, GMV, SENER, Almatech, and CDS.
The Exploration Company is working on a spacecraft called Oura, designed to refuel satellites in orbit.
The Exploration Company was awarded a Phase B2 contract for the InSPoC-1 programme on 25 November.
The Exploration Company is developing a modular capsule called Nyx, capable of delivering cargo and crew to and from low Earth orbit, lunar orbit, and the surface of the Moon.
The Exploration Company is developing a spacecraft designed to dock with and refuel satellites in orbit as part of the European Space Agency’s In-Space Proof-of-Concepts initiative.
The Exploration Company will work toward an in-orbit demonstration expected to be launched in 2028.
ESA is likely looking to contract Thales Alenia Space and The Exploration Company for the Launch Abort System development.
In May 2024, the European Space Agency awarded Phase 1 contracts to Thales Alenia Space and The Exploration Company, each receiving €25 million to mature their vehicle designs.
The Exploration Company’s Nyx spacecraft could be used for ESA-managed free-flight missions.
The Exploration Company and Thales Alenia Space received Phase 1 contracts for the LEO Cargo Return Services initiative, with each awarded €25 million.
The Exploration Company opened its new headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, on 27 October.
The new facility will host The Exploration Company's propulsion, thermal protection, and systems engineering teams.
The Exploration Company has opened a new facility in Le Haillan, France.
The Exploration Company is focused on the first test flight of its Nyx Earth spacecraft in 2028.
The Exploration Company is building a propulsion test facility in Mérignac, near its new facility in Le Haillan.
The facility will house The Exploration Company's mission control center for managing all future Nyx spacecraft missions.
The UAE Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with The Exploration Company for upcoming space missions and research initiatives.
The Exploration Company is focused on developing a modular cargo and crew capsule called Nyx.
The Exploration Company did not disclose the terms of the Thrustworks acquisition deal.
On 17 November, The Exploration Company announced it had expanded its footprint in Germany with the acquisition of Thrustworks.