A European startup, The Exploration Company, is developing a cargo vehicle called Nyx that will launch within days with a key test flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2028. The company plans to use Nyx for both cargo and crewed flights, with an initial focus on cargo missions.
The latest model of Nyx, unveiled at the Paris Air Show, features two astronauts on board along with cargo, showcasing potential for crewed operations. The company’s lead, Victor Maier, stated that a fully crewed version of Nyx could accommodate four or five astronauts and would require European government support due to its estimated cost of over €1 billion.
The Exploration Company has six missions planned for the Nyx spacecraft, including a demonstration mission for the ESA program, Starlab Space, Axiom Space, and Vast. The company’s focus is on cargo operations for now, with the next test flight called Mission Possible launching on SpaceX’s Transporter-14 mission in June.
Mission Possible will carry a 300-kilogram payload of experiments, including cosmetic and pharmaceutical tests, as well as alcohol. The spacecraft will spend about three hours in orbit before deorbiting and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. With no immediate plans for another test flight after Mission Possible, The Exploration Company is awaiting the results of this mission to proceed with its ISS demonstration program.
Maier emphasized the importance of European cooperation on this project, stating that no country alone could afford such a venture. The Exploration Company’s ambitions highlight the growing significance of private space companies in driving innovation and collaboration in space exploration.
Source: https://spacenews.com/the-exploration-company-outlines-plans-for-human-spaceflight