🚀 European SpaceX Rival, The Exploration Company (TEC), Raises $160M for Reusable Space Capsule Development 🌌

The Exploration Company (TEC), a European aerospace startup, announced it has raised $160 million in a funding round led by Balderton Capital and Plural, with additional investments from French Tech Souveraineté and Germany's DeepTech & Climate Fonds. The funds will support the development of TEC's flagship product, Nyx, a reusable space capsule designed to transport astronauts and cargo to space stations.
Nyx offers a sustainable solution by re-entering Earth's atmosphere for reuse after completing missions. This aligns with growing global demand for space exploration, driven by countries aiming to expand lunar missions and station capabilities. Hélène Huby, TEC’s founder and CEO, highlighted the need for European alternatives to existing solutions like SpaceX's Dragon capsule.
TEC is currently finalizing the second version of Nyx, expected to launch next year, with a fully developed model slated for 2028, partly financed by the European Space Agency. The company has secured $800 million in contracts, including partnerships with Starlab and Axiom Space, and aims to support NASA’s Gateway project orbiting the Moon. Huby envisions TEC as a pivotal player in space logistics, including the return of cargo to Earth.
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