Full-Time
Unsolicited Application
Permanent
The Exploration Company
201-500 employees
Orbital vehicle developer with open interfaces
No salary listed
Bordeaux, France + 2 more
More locations: Turin, Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy | Munich, Germany
In Person
Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.
 Aerospace Engineering (1) |
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- A deep passion for space exploration and the potential to contribute in impactful ways.
- A mindset focused on collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving.
- A background that reflects your skills and experience in the areas mentioned above.
- A desire to join an enthusiastic, dedicated, and diverse team shaping the future of space.
- Engineering (Avionics, Communication, Power, Flight Software, GNC, Propulsion, System, Vehicle Design)
- AIT (Assembly, Integration & Testing)
- Business (Strategy, Operations, Growth)
- Finance (FP&A, Accounting, Investment Analysis)
- Program Management
- US Operations (Spaceport, Regulatory, Logistics)
The Exploration.Space builds Nyx, a modular, reusable orbital vehicle that can be refueled in orbit, and operates Nyx for various missions while also selling its open-interface components on the SpaceStore for others to use. Nyx works by launching to orbit, being refueled in space, and reconfiguring for different missions through its modular design. The company differentiates itself by pairing spacecraft operations with an open marketplace of modular components, inviting third parties to build on its technology. Its goal is to make space exploration affordable, sustainable, and accessible to a global audience.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series B
Total Funding
$214.8M
Headquarters
Planegg, Germany
Founded
2021
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Starlab Space LLC signed for three Nyx cargo missions leveraging reusability.
- QuesTek ICMD adoption accelerates Nyx materials for human-rated extreme environments.
- Thrustworks integration expands propulsion for civil and defense applications.
What critics are saying
- UK government blocked Orbex acquisition, halting UK vertical integration.
- Mission Possible lost contact before splashdown, delaying Nyx re-entry certification.
- €225M funding insufficient for Nyx, Huracan, Typhoon parallel development.
What makes The Exploration Company unique
- Nyx offers modular, reusable orbital vehicle refuelable in orbit for LEO and lunar missions.
- SpaceStore provides Nyx components with open interfaces to foster industry innovation.
- Acquired Thrustworks for niobium C103 additive manufacturing of thrust chambers.
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Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -1%1 year growth
↑ 1%2 year growth
↓ -3%QuesTek expands ICMD(R) platform adoption in space industry with The Exploration Company. Discover more Business & Productivity Software Company News EVANSTON, Ill. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - QuesTek Innovations, a leader in space-grade materials design and predictive simulation, is proud to welcome The Exploration Company as the latest aerospace innovator to adopt QuesTek's ICMD(R) materials simulation software platform. Known for its development of the Nyx spacecraft, a modular, reusable space capsule designed to support both cargo missions and future human spaceflight, The Exploration Company will use QuesTek's proven Materials by Design(R) technology, as encompassed in ICMD(R) to accelerate development and enhance performance in extreme environments, including human-rated systems. The Exploration Company joins a growing list of space-sector leaders leveraging ICMD(R) and QuesTek's track record in developing space-ready materials. From advanced superalloys for extreme environments to high-temperature additive manufacturing alloys, QuesTek's technology continues to enable innovations behind reusable rockets, orbital return systems, and next-generation space infrastructure. "The Exploration Company is building critical infrastructure for the future of space logistics," said Bill Mahoney, COO of QuesTek Innovations. "We're excited to support their vision with ICMD(R) and our materials design, development, and deployment expertise. We look forward to helping their team move faster and engineer with confidence in one of the most demanding environments imaginable." The Exploration Company's collaboration reinforces QuesTek's capabilities as a key materials innovation partner across the global space industry, helping organizations unlock performance, reliability, and reusability through materials engineered for mission-critical applications. About QuesTek QuesTek's Materials by Design(R) technology and ICMD(R) software platform are proven to reduce the development time and cost and increase the performance of novel materials. In its market space, QuesTek is the first provider to execute the full cycle from novel design to production, certification, and flight operations with proprietary materials, in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional, or purely algorithmic methods. Fast Company named QuesTek a 2025 Most Innovative Company. questek.com SOURCE QuesTek Innovations | these press releases may also interest you | at 17:25 | dundee corporation delivers strong 2025 results; advances mining strategy through monetizations and capital repositioning | | /"this year, we delivered solid net earnings driven by significant investment gains across our mining portfolio, alongside sizeable monetization transactions that strengthened dundee's year-end cash position and financial flexibility," said jonathan... | | at 17:19 | /U P D A T E - newmark group, inc./ | | / | newmark announces the Company acted as strategic advisor on behalf of cain, the real estate asset manager led and co-founded by jonathan goldstein in partnership with eldridge industries, delivering a fully integrated capital markets and advisory... | | at 17:17 | minto apartment REIT announces the sale of 150 roehampton for $91 million | | / | minto apartment real estate investment trust (the "REIT") announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell its 150 roehampton property located in toronto, ontario to a private real estate investor (the "transaction"). The sale price of... | | at 17:05 | integral metals appoints leo power to board of directors | | / | integral metals corp. (the "Company" or "integral") is pleased to announce the appointment of leo power to its board of directors, effective immediately. Mr. Power is an accomplished entrepreneur based in newfoundland and labrador, with extensive... | | at 17:05 | oceaneering schedules first quarter 2026 earnings release and conference call | | / | oceaneering international, inc. ("oceaneering") will report its first quarter 2026 financial results on wednesday, april 22, 2026, after the close of trading on the new york stock exchange. Oceaneering will host a conference call and webcast to... | | at 17:05 | montage gold reports on its Q4-2025 activities | | / | montage gold corp. ("montage" or the "Company") is pleased to report on its construction and exploration activities for Q4-2025, with highlights provided in table 1 below. Table 1: Business and financial highlights THREE MONTHS ENDEDYEAR endedall... | | / | more news about Business... News published on 23 march 2026 at 08:54 and distributed by:
The Exploration Company has suggested the UK government blocked its acquisition of struggling launch startup Orbex. The deal, announced on 21 January via a letter of intent, was meant to rescue Orbex after its Series D funding round failed to materialise. Three weeks later, Orbex filed for insolvency after all merger and acquisition opportunities fell through. The Exploration Company's spokesperson stated they "respect the UK decision-making process", hinting at government involvement in blocking the transaction. The UK Space Agency appeared unsupportive, telling SpaceNews that "some companies will succeed, while others will fail". This aligns with the government's recent shift from advocating sovereign launch capability toward "assured access" through partnerships with NATO and European allies. UK-based Skyrora has expressed interest in purchasing select Orbex assets, including Sutherland Spaceport, with plans to invest up to £10 million.
The Exploration Company in talks to buy UK rocket builder Orbex. UK-based rocket builder Orbex has signed a letter of intent to sell its business to European space logistics startup The Exploration Company. Orbex was founded in 2015 and is developing a small launch vehicle called Prime. The company also began work on a larger, medium-lift launch vehicle called Proxima in December 2024. On 21 January, Orbex published a brief press release stating that a letter of intent had been signed and that negotiations had begun. The company added that all details about the transaction remain confidential at this stage. A statement from Orbex CEO Phil Chambers suggests that the company's financial position factored into its decision to pursue a buyer. "Our Series D fundraising could have led us in many directions," said Chambers. "We believe this opportunity plays to the strengths of both businesses, and we look forward to sharing more when the time is right." In her own statement, The Exploration Company's CEO Hélène Huby described the two businesses as "complementary." "Orbex and TEC are complementary. We are working closely with the UK government to ensure that our combined business reinforces the UK's launcher roadmap. We will be respecting the confidentiality of this process and will share more in due course." The Exploration Company is building a reusable space capsule that will initially ferry cargo to the International Space Station. The company is developing, under a CNES-financed project, a high-thrust reusable rocket engine called Typhoon. Since its founding in 2021, the company has raised €225 million. Keep European Spaceflight independent. Your donation will help European Spaceflight to continue digging into the stories others miss. Every euro keeps our reporting alive.
The Exploration Company acquires Thrustworks Additive Manufacturing GmbH. The Exploration Company has acquired Thrustworks Additive Manufacturing GmbH to strengthen its supply chain and expand its advanced manufacturing capability. Thrustworks is described by The Exploration Company as 'an end-to-end specialist in advanced additive manufacturing technologies for aerospace components,' with capabilities spanning design optimisation, post-processing, and quality assurance. The Exploration Company has sought to integrate Thrustworks for its 'market-leading' expertise in refractory metals, oxidation-resistant coatings, and the manufacturing of highly engineered propulsion components. Thrustworks is said to be one of the first companies to commercialise an EU-based capability for the printing and coating of high-performance thrust chambers made from Niobium alloy C103 and used for both civil and defence applications. Helene Huby, CEO and Founder of The Exploration Company, said: "With this merger, we integrate within TEC and scale at the service of the European industry a unique niobium printing capability and a great team. We intend to serve our clients with applications ranging from satellite thrusters to thrusters for defence applications." Christopher Mihm, Alexander Albrechtand and Felix Thiel, the co-founders of Thrustworks, commented: "Joining The Exploration Company marks a defining step for ThrustWorks. Together, we will scale our operations in North Rhine-Westphalia and expand our additive manufacturing capabilities to strengthen Europe's resilient space supply chain."
The Exploration Company takes over Thrustworks GmbH. With the acquisition, TEC is expanding manufacturing capacities in NRW, creating new jobs and strengthening the resilience of European aerospace and defense supply chains. The European aerospace company The Exploration Company (TEC) has announced the acquisition of Thrustworks GmbH. The company from North Rhine-Westphalia specializes in the additive manufacturing of complex drive components and will strengthen TEC's supply chain and technological base in the future. With the acquisition, TEC is creating the basis for additional production capacities, new jobs and a deepened industrialization of critical aerospace technologies in Germany. Expanded expertise in high-performance materials and coatings. Thrustworks has expertise in the processing of printed refractory metals, the development of oxidation-resistant coatings and the manufacture of complex propulsion components. Particularly noteworthy is the ability to additively manufacture and coat high-performance thrust chambers made from the niobium alloy C103. This is a technology that has rarely been commercially available in the EU to date. These components are used in both civil space applications and in the defense sector. By integrating this technology, TEC gains a key competence that leads to greater vertical integration, more independence from global supply chains and accelerated implementation of technical development programs. Investments and capacity expansion in North Rhine-Westphalia. As part of the acquisition, Thrustworks will expand its production facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia and set up new production lines. In addition, the team will be expanded to meet the increasing demand from the aerospace, defense and related industries. Menalto Advisors, LLC intend to offer its customers applications ranging from satellite engines to engines for defense purposes. Hélène Huby, CEO and founder of The Exploration Company The investments not only strengthen TEC's internal roadmap, but also open up new external sales potential. The expanded capacities are intended to support companies facing similar technical and regulatory challenges with drive components. Strategic move to strengthen a resilient supply chain. TEC aims to develop its products to meet both its own programs and external customer requirements. Internal control over performance, quality and production processes enables clear technological differentiation. At the same time, the company sees growing opportunities in marketing its solutions to third parties. Joining TEC is a decisive step for Thrustworks. Together Menalto Advisors, LLC will expand its activities in North Rhine-Westphalia and increase its additive manufacturing capabilities to strengthen Europe's resilient aerospace supply chain. Christopher Mihm, Managing Director of Thrustworks GmbH The acquisition of Thrustworks supports this approach by bundling technological capabilities and making them scalable. For TEC, the move means a stronger position in the European market and more resilience in an increasingly dynamic space environment. The Exploration Company was founded in 2021 by hélène Huby and is one of the leading European companies in the field of space logistics. The company's mission is to build an accessible, sustainable and collaborative space transportation and supply system. With around 400 employees at locations in munich, bordeaux, turin, luxembourg, houston and dubai, TEC develops modular space systems for international customers. In 2024, TEC closed a series B financing round of 150 million euros, one of the largest capital rounds in the European space sector.