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Company

The Exploration Company

The Exploration Company (TEC) is a German-French space company developing Nyx, an autonomous cargo vehicle for orbital and lunar missions.

Founded
2021
HQ
Munich, Germany

Overview

The Exploration Company (TEC) is a German-French space company developing Nyx, an autonomous cargo vehicle for orbital and lunar missions. Founded 2021 by CEO Hélène Huby. Nyx Earth carries 4,000 kg to LEO for 6 months, reusable 5x, in-orbit refueling. Nyx Moon lunar lander variant. Raised $160M. ESA LCRS program. First orbital mission 2026. In talks to acquire Orbex.

Verified record

Verified deployments
None on file
Active incidents
None on file

Key facts

Product

Nyx — autonomous cargo vehicle, 4-5 ton payload, autonomous docking, 3000kg return

HQ

Munich, Germany

Founder & CEO

Product — Nyx Earth

4,000 kg to LEO, 6-month duration, reusable 5x, in-orbit refueling

Product — Nyx Moon

Lunar lander variant, cylindrical design, Breeze thrusters

Crewed version

4-5 people to LEO, expected mid-2030s

ESA program

LEO Cargo Return Service (LCRS)

First orbital mission

2026 (launch provider TBD)

Acquisition target

Orbex (UK small launch) — in talks

Data & sources

Web sources

1

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The Exploration Company on the deployment map

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Current leadership (1)

Safety record

No incidents on record for The Exploration Company.

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Recent coverage

The Exploration Company in third-party press