The Exploration Company (TEC) has secured a contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) for the ALADDIN cargo capsule program. The deal is valued at up to €760 million, comprising €310 million for an initial demonstration mission and up to €450 million for two optional service missions.
This agreement follows a Series C funding round where TEC raised €387 million, or $450 million. The company intends to use these funds to finalize the development of its reusable Nyx capsule and accelerate work on the Storm high-thrust rocket engine.
The ALADDIN program, which succeeds the Low Earth Orbit Cargo Return Service initiative, aims to establish European cargo transport capabilities for space stations. TEC won the contract through an open competitive tender process, marking the largest capsule transportation deal awarded by ESA to a European firm.
The Nyx capsule is designed to return up to 3,000 kilograms of cargo to Earth and is rated for 10 missions. TEC has also secured pre-booking agreements with Axiom, Starlab, and Vast, bringing its total booked missions to 10 with a contract value of approximately $2 billion.
For the initial demonstration mission to the ISS, TEC will provide 40% of the funding from private sources, while ESA will cover the remaining 60%. Additionally, the company has signed a launch agreement with Arianespace to utilize an Ariane 6 rocket for the first Nyx mission.
