Today, space freight transport – the transfer of goods from one point to another in space – is mainly handled by the American SpaceX and its Dragon capsule. But a Franco-German company based in Munich intends to upset this balance. The Exploration Company aims to transform space logistics and establish itself as a genuine alternative to SpaceX. And the 3D printing of engines in particular play a central role.
Founded in July 2021, The Exploration Company is focusing its development on the “Nyx” vehicles. Designed to rival existing solutions, these spacecraft aim to strengthen Europe’s independence in the space sector, which is often dominated by the United States. Inspired by Nyx, the Greek goddess of night and the cosmos, these capsules embody both Europe’s quest for exploration and its technological ambitions. The company is developing several Nyx variants, adapted to a variety of missions.
Hélène Huby, founder of the Exploration Company, and her team.
The Nyx Earth capsule is designed to serve space stations in low-Earth orbit, while the Nyx Gateway and Nyx Moon models will target the Gateway lunar station and the Moon’s surface respectively. Nyx Earth’s first official mission is scheduled for 2028, with the initial objective of refueling the International Space Station (ISS). However, The Exploration Company is targeting future private space stations as its primary customers.
Designed to carry up to 4,000 kg of cargo to space and capable of returning up to 3,000 kg to Earth, Nyx Earth stands out for its payload return capability – currently the highest in the world for this type of capsule. Although the inaugural launch is still a few years away, tests are already underway. In mid-June, a slightly scaled-down prototype of Nyx Earth will be launched into space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
The Exploration Company claims to be able to reduce mission costs by 25-50% by using the Nyx vehicle, compared with its main competitors. Fully reusable, Nyx can also be refueled in orbit, enabling missions to be extended if necessary. This focus on sustainability is also reflected in the use of additive manufacturing.
Maximilian Strixner, senior 3D printing engineer for the project, oversees the production of engine components in a dedicated workshop, where the DMLS process is used. He describes these parts as some of the most complex designs in 3D printing. Using lasers, metal powder is fused layer by layer to form the motors, illustrating the precision and potential of this advanced manufacturing technology.
The Nyx Moon spacecraft will probably be inaugurated in 2030
In mid-June, Nyx capsules will be launched into space for the first time as part of the “Mission Possible” mission. They will be equipped with reusable, low-environmental-impact 3D-printed thrusters. This milestone marks a key moment for The Exploration Company. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the next developments, and will be sure to keep you informed of the project’s progress. To find out more, click HERE.
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*All Photo Credits: The Exploration Company