The Exploration Company has successfully raised $160 million in a Series B funding round to advance the development of its Nyx cargo spacecraft.

Funding Round and Investors

The funding was led by Balderton Capital and Plural, with contributions from various investors including French Tech Souveraineté and DeepTech & Climate Fonds.

Nyx Cargo Spacecraft

The Nyx spacecraft is designed to transport cargo to and from low Earth orbit (LEO) and cislunar space. The Nyx Earth version can carry four tons of cargo to orbit and has a return capacity of up to three tons.

Operational and Financial Milestones

The company has achieved operational and financial milestones, including securing a €25 million contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for a cargo transportation vehicle.

First Spacecraft Launch

The Exploration Company launched its first spacecraft, Nyx Bikini, but the mission did not yield expected data due to a failure in the final burn.

Upcoming Launch

The company is preparing for the launch of a mid-sized capsule called Mission Possible in 2025.

Contracts for Cargo Transportation

The Exploration Company has secured contracts with Axiom Space, Starlab Space, and Vast for cargo transportation.

Total Capital Raised

The recent funding round brings the company's total capital raised to $230 million.

Backlog of Contracts

The company has a backlog of over $750 million in contracts and aims to redefine European leadership in space exploration.