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The Exploration Company (TEC), a Franco-German startup specializing in reusable space capsules, announced that it had raised 150 million euros during a financing round led by Balderton Capital And Plural. This round also includes the participation of funds supported by French governments (French Tech Sovereignty) and German (DeepTech & Climate Fund).
Strategic space ambitions
Created in 2021, The Exploration Company develops reusable orbital capsules called Nyxintended for resupply and transport missions in space. These capsules, modular and powered by sustainable technologies, aim to make space exploration more accessible, less expensive and more focused on reuse, in line with the growing needs of public and private space players.
TEC is currently developing the second version of Nyx, scheduled to launch in 2025, while the final version will be available in 2028, with co-financing from theEuropean Space Agency (ESA).
Contracts worth 750 million euros already signed
TEC has already secured 750 million euros in contracts for using Nyx. Its clients include companies like Starlabwhich is designing a new space station, and Axiom Spacea key player in commercial space transportation.
These contracts include missions to transport cargo to existing and future space stations, as well as missions to lunar destinations, as part of international projects such as the Gateway station led by NASA.
A European strategic positioning
While the space capsule market is dominated by a few players like SpaceX, as well as competitors in China and Russia, TEC is positioning itself as a European solution to meet growing demand for space transportation. “Europe must have its own capacity to send astronauts and cargo into space,” underlines Hélène Huby.
