The Exploration Company secures €387 million to accelerate development of reusable high-thrust rocket engine

The Exploration Company, a European space enterprise, has secured €387 million ($450 million) in Series C funding. This investment will bolster the development of the Nyx reusable capsule, aimed at docking with the International Space Station and returning to Earth, while also propelling the creation of the high-thrust reusable Storm rocket engine.

The financing round was co-led by Bessemer Venture Partners, Atomico, and Scaleup Europe Fund, managed by EQT, with participation from TEC’s existing European investors such as Balderton, Plural, Cherry, and Red River West. Hélène Huby, founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, emphasized the urgency of the funding: to bring Nyx to the International Space Station and safely return it to Earth, while accelerating the Storm engine.

The company aims to scale its European expertise, customers, and partners to build a more collaborative and peaceful future in space. The funding aligns with a wave of investments in European launch, orbital transport, and propulsion companies in 2026. Other European companies, such as PLD Space and ATMOS Space Cargo, have also recently raised significant funding for reusable transportation and re-entry vehicle development.

These financings highlight the substantial capital flowing into Europe's space infrastructure sector. The Exploration Company's Series C investment not only expands its investor base across the Atlantic but also reinforces its focus on reusable space transportation platforms. President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, praised the financing as a significant moment for Europe's space industry, showcasing the potential of collaborative, innovative companies built across multiple Member States.

The Nyx capsule remains TEC's near-term priority, designed to carry cargo to and from space stations, while Storm, a reusable high-thrust rocket engine, will serve as the propulsion foundation for a future reusable European super-heavy launcher.