Exploration Space
The Exploration is building a full-stack space transportation platform with reusable vehicles, including the Nyx capsule for cargo delivery to and from space stations and the Storm high-thrust rocket engine. Nyx is launcher-agnostic, capable of returning up to 3,000 kg of cargo to Earth, and is designed for up to 10 missions per vehicle. The company has already secured 10 booked missions with anchor customers.
- Aerospace
- Hardware
- Space Technology
Funding
Raised to date
$680MRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
across 2 rounds
+12Founders
Product
Problem
Current space transportation options for cargo to and from space stations are limited, often relying on single-use vehicles or systems tied to specific launchers. This restricts flexibility, increases costs, and limits the amount of cargo that can be returned to Earth, hindering the growth of a sustainable in-orbit economy.
Solution
The Exploration is developing a full-stack space transportation platform centered on reusable vehicles. Its Nyx capsule is designed to launch on any heavy rocket, dock with space stations in low Earth orbit, and return up to 3,000 kg of cargo to Earth—the largest down-mass capability available. The capsule is fully reusable for up to 10 missions, reducing costs and waste. The company also develops the Storm, a reusable, high-thrust rocket engine delivering up to 180 tons of thrust, built in partnership across European countries to ensure sovereign launch capability. Together, these vehicles aim to close gaps in space transportation by making cargo delivery and return more affordable, flexible, and sustainable.
Target Audience
Primary customers are space station operators, commercial space research organizations, and government space agencies requiring reliable, cost-effective cargo transport to and from low Earth orbit.
Features
- Nyx capsule is launcher-agnostic, compatible with any heavy launcher worldwide
- Reusable for up to 10 missions, with carbon-based, low-density thermal protection for re-entry and recovery
- Returns up to 3,000 kg of cargo to Earth, the largest down-mass capability in the market
- In-house avionics, flight software, and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems for autonomous docking
- Orbital propulsion system with reusable thrusters for maneuvering and station-keeping
- Storm engine delivers up to 180 tons of thrust and is designed for rapid reuse to improve cost competitiveness