This European capsule could change everything … if it succeeds in its flight this night!

The 55^e Le Bourget Salon Having closed his portesportes – Next edition in June 2027 -. Therefore, it is time to share our articles relating to the many meetings made with various companies and startups of the space sector.

Among these exciting meetings. Therefore, we had the opportunity to discuss with two representatives of The Exploration Company: Benjamin Kawak, responsible for institutional affairs and Pierre Faisoup, Director General Espace et Defense. However, This Franco-German startup is engaged in the development of space transport capsules. Consequently, intended both for freight andforwardingforwarding Astronauts in low orbit, as well as for exploration missions to the moon and Mars.

During our exchanges with Benjamin. Meanwhile, Pierre, we discussed the progress of the projects of The Exploration Company, a first capsule of which is in development within the this european capsule could change framework of a contract passed with the European Space Agency. Nevertheless, This capsule bears the name of ” Nyx Earth ». Meanwhile, This project concerns a reusable cargo vehicle designed for low. Similarly, dimensioned orbit to easily evolve towards a reusable capsule for Habited flightsHabited flights.

A demonstration flight in a few hours – This european capsule could change

A first demonstration capsule. Furthermore, named Mission Possiblewill make a test flight in a few hours. In addition, Of a take -off weight of approximately 1.6 tonnes and a diameter of 2.5 meters, this capsule will embark 25 useful charges as well as several sensorssensors of measurement. Similarly, The launch is most likely planned on the night of Monday to Tuesday aboard a Falcon 9 launcher from SpaceXSpaceXas part of the mission Transporter-14which will send 70 useful charges. Meanwhile, including this european capsule could change Mission Possibleon an orbit synchronoussynchronous Solar (SSO). Similarly, The shot will take place from the Vandenberg base, California.

Mission Possible will test key capsule key systems Nyx Earth. As with any demonstration flight, the possibility of failure is an integral part of theequationequation. In case of success, this would be a decisive turning point for European spatial logistics. In addition. even a partial success would provide essential information, thus making it this european capsule could change possible to reduce the risks associated with future missions. During this test flight. five points will be particularly followed:

• the separationseparation with the launcher;
• capsule flight behavior and thermal shield;
• atmospheric return;
• parachuteparachute and descent;
• Bleakage and recovery.

We will debrief with Benjamin Kawak the results of this mission. He should also provide us with images of the descent of the parachute capsule until its bittering. Indeed. The Exploration Company rented at the NasaNasa The recognition plane which was once used to film the return of space shuttles.

The floor is given to Benjamin Kawak, head of institutional affairs.

Futura: What are the objectives of this test flight? – This european capsule could change

Benjamin Kawak: Demonstrate that Europe is capable of bringing a capsule in a independent. controlled manner from the low terrestrial orbit. This flight aims to validate five key capacities:

• orbit payload operations (LEOLEO) .
• altitude control to ensure the back -to -school trajectory;
• controlled atmospheric school year;
• deployment of parachutes;
• Capsule recovery.

Futura: What is the development schedule for your capsule? – This european capsule could change

Benjamin Kawak: The development started in July 2022 and will conclude with the launch in June 2025. The capsule was designed. built and qualified in less than three years, with a total budget of 30 million euros – a first for a European space capsule of this complexity.

Futura: What are its main characteristics (mass, size, autonomy, electric power)?

Benjamin Kawak: The demonstratordemonstrator current has a massemasse empty of approximately 1,600 kilos and a diameter of 2.5 meters. It is completely autonomous throughout its mission. The power supply is provided by an internal battery system. The capsule incorporates a propulsion system developed internally. a single computercomputer on -board flight and a high performance thermal shield capable of withstanding a 1 MW/m² thermal flow.

Futura: Your site mentions 4 tonnes uphill and 3 tonnes downhill. Are his performances frozen or will they improve?

Benjamin Kawak: These figures refer to Nyx Earthour actual size capsule currently in development at The Exploration Company. The demonstrator Mission Possible This is a reduced version. The architecture is modular and designed to evolve according to the needs of future missions and the capacity of launchers. Our capsules are also launchers.

Futura: Is the Nyx Earth capsule pressurized?

Benjamin Kawak: Nyx Earth will be able to transport both useful pressurized and unwanized loads. Mission Possibleour demonstrator, is not pressurized, because it focuses on the validation of essential systems.

Futura: Is Nyx designed for inhabited flight?

Benjamin Kawak: Yes. The architecture was thought from the start to be certifiable for inhabited flights. We will this european capsule could change collaborate closely with space agencies (NASA, ESAESA, DLRDLRCNES) to qualify our capsule for this purpose. Mission Possible focuses on mastery of atmospheric back -to -school, planeic, propulsion and recovery. The missions with crew are a natural evolution already integrated into our roadmap.

Futura: What are the future developments planned?

The Exploration Company : Different developments:

• Nyx Earth : CARGAISON return capsule from the low terrestrial orbit.
• Nyx Moon : Lunar landing for cargo;
• refueling technologies for ergolergol fluidic, cryogenic and ecological;
• Lunar landing systems (in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates);
• development of cryogenic propulsion;
• methane engines-LOXLOX at high thrust.

Futura: innovations and technological advances in the development of the capsule?

The Exploration Company : Yes. several key innovations:

• non -pyrotechnic separation mechanisms reducing shocks on useful loads;
• Propulsion components printed in 3D: reduced time this european capsule could change from 12 weeks to 72 hours;
• Avionic architecture based on cot components with radiation tolerance;
• Personalized flight computers with triple redundancy;
• softwaresoftware tolerant of breakdowns combining a real -time bone and LinuxLinux ;
• Ablative thermal shield designed for more than 10 returns.

We also reduce costs and deadlines thanks to a rapid and iterative flight test strategy, avoiding rigid qualification cycles.

Futura: Will NYX have unprecedented operational capacities?

Benjamin Kawak: Oui. Nyx will offer:

• the largest global load capacity (up to 3. 000 kilos);
• Autonomous return and complete recovery;
• compatibilitycompatibility Multi-tuneurs;
• mooring capacity space stationspace station ;
• Complete mission automation with integrated redundancy.

No other European capsule combines all these capacities in a single vehicle.

Futura: You mention that a flight can be 25 to 50 % cheaper than other space transport modes. Could you explain the reasons this european capsule could change for this price difference?

Benjamin Kawak: It is thanks to several levers:

• integrated reusability from design.
• Use of rigorously selected components;
• absence of geo-return constraints in purchases;
• Quick flight cycles;
• Small high -performance engineering teams;
• Agile public-private financing model.

In summary: we only conceive what is necessary, we test it quickly, and we make it spread.

Futura: Will the structure of this capsule be used for future lunar or interplanetary missions?

Benjamin Kawak: Absolutely. This vehicle is a founding platform. Its structure, its planeic, its software and its propulsion logic will evolve directly to Nyx Moon et Nyx Mars. We are developing a family of capsules adapted to a wide variety of mission profiles.