The Space Exploration is developing a product called Nyx, a reusable capsule that can be launched into space from a rocket carrying passengers and cargo.
The US Exploration Corporation (TEC) announced on Monday that it has raised $160 million to accelerate the development of a capsule to carry astronauts and cargo to the space station.
Venture capital firms Balderton Capital and Plural were lead investors in the round, which also included French state-backed investment institution French Tech Souveraineté and German state-backed fund DeepTech & Climate Fonds.
TEC’s core product is Nyx, a capsule that is launched into space from a rocket carrying passengers and cargo. Nyx is reusable, so after dropping its payload, it can re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and be used for the next mission.
“This is a big market, growing at about 10% plus a year as more countries want to fly astronauts and more countries want to go to the moon.” Hélène Huby, founder and CEO of TEC, told CNBC. Interview.
“So there’s an increased demand to get people to the station, to get packages to the station,” she says.
There are very few players in this part of the market. Some of the biggest are SpaceX, which has a capsule called Dragon. There are also rivals from China and Russia.
“We said, ‘Okay, let’s build this capability in Europe, so Europe can have its own capsule, and the world also needs alternative solutions. ) You can’t just bet on SpaceX,” Hubie said.
TEC is currently developing a second version of Nyx, scheduled to launch next year, followed by the final version in 2028. The model will be partially funded by the European Space Agency.
Hubie said the company has signed an $800 million contract to use the capsule. These include mission contracts with companies such as Star Labs and Axiom Space, which are designing new space stations.
Activities in space are increasing among countries including China, the United States, and India. One of the most ambitious projects is the NASA-led Gateway, which will be the first space station to orbit the moon.
“More people means more cargo, and so this is what’s happening around the Earth and the moon,” Hubie said.
Hubie believes TEC will play a key role in developing the technology needed to bring cargo launched into space back to Earth.
“This is also a place where we believe our vehicles play an important role,” Hubie said.
