The Exploration Company GmbH

Slogan

Space vehicles for humanity.

Company or Institute Description:

The Exploration Company (TEC) develops reusable spacecraft, propulsion systems, and in-orbit servicing solutions to provide autonomous and affordable European access to orbit and beyond. Founded in 2021, TEC now employs over 450 people at several international locations. The first full-scale orbital flight of the Nyx capsule is scheduled for 2028.

Technology / Research

The Exploration Company develops and qualifies additive manufacturing technologies for high-stress spaceflight components. The focus is on metallic processes such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Direct Energy Deposition for the production of complex, functionally integrated components for reusable spacecraft, propulsion systems, and in-orbit servicing applications.

Research and development activities include design for additive manufacturing, topology and weight optimization, functional integration, material and process development, component qualification, and the integration of additively manufactured components into flight-ready systems. Key technological focuses include complex fluidic and propulsion geometries, structures subjected to high thermal and mechanical loads, reusable components, and the industrialization of additive manufacturing for space applications.

Products / Services

The Exploration Company develops and industrializes additively manufactured components and assemblies for aerospace applications, particularly for reusable spacecraft, space propulsion systems, and in-orbit servicing systems. The focus is on high-performance metal components for engines, propulsion systems, and spacecraft structures, where additive manufacturing enables complex geometries, functional integration, weight reduction, and shorter development cycles.

The range of services includes design for additive manufacturing, the development and qualification of additively manufactured aerospace components, prototyping, industrialization, and integration into flight-critical systems. Typical applications include engine and fluidics components, complex structural parts, mounts, ducting, interface components, and components for reusable capsules and servicing vehicles.