The Exploration Company, a leading European commercial space company developing, manufacturing, and operating a reusable space capsule called Nyx, has announced a positive update from the firm’s latest test campaign, offering further evidence that the firm is executing its strategy successfully.
The latest campaign involved further testing of the Company’s Huracan engine – which will power its reusable lunar space capsule – Nyx Moon – and implemented three significant modifications and design enhancements.
Notably, liquid methane was used for the first time as a coolant – replacing water – which is closer to the conditions expected during a lunar mission. The main chamber valves also underwent their inaugural testing in cryogenic conditions, while another key technology – Thermal Barrier Coating – was successfully applied to the chamber parts.
The latest test campaign took place in cooperation and with the support of DLR-Institut für Raumfahrtantriebe, Centre National d’Études Spatiales and the European Space Agency (ESA).
In September 2023, the Company signed a cargo services pre-booking agreement with Axiom Space, the world’s first commercial space station. This was the first time a European space capsule had been selected by a commercial space company to develop cargo transportation services from Earth to Space and back to Earth.
In February of 2023, The Exploration Company completed a $40.5 million Series A fund raise, which was a record Series A round for the European Space Tech sector.
Hélène Huby, CEO and co-founder of The Exploration Company, said, “We are delighted the latest test campaign has yielded such encouraging results, and we look forward to progressing the next stage of tests. It is further proof that the Exploration Company is delivering successfully on its stated strategy. Our special thanks goes to all the expert assistance from DLR-Institut für Raumfahrtantriebe, deltaVision, HycAero and the European Space Agency.”