Houston, TX, 8 July 2026: Today, The Exploration Company (TEC) opens the doors to a new Rapid Innovation Lab in Houston, expanding our presence in the United States at a time when reliable and resilient cargo and crew transportation is becoming a critical priority for low Earth orbit missions.

Located in Houston near NASA Johnson Space Center, the TEC Rapid Innovation Lab brings together engineers, designers, and operators in a space built for efficient, rapid innovation. At its center is a full-scale mockup of the future Nyx crew capsule, enabling teams to prototype, test, and refine crew interfaces in close collaboration with partners, astronauts, and NASA personnel.
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“Houston gives us direct access to the people and expertise that have built and operated human spaceflight systems for decades. We’re excited to invest and expand around that— engineers, operators, and astronauts working together and moving quickly towards building a crew capsule.” said Hélène Huby, Founder & CEO of The Exploration Company.

“Investments like the one made here by The Exploration Company do more than just create jobs: they create opportunity,” said Texas Representative Dr. Greg Bonnen. “Texas has long been the global home for human spaceflight, and we’re going to work with innovators like The Exploration Company to ensure that we have the best people, programs, and infrastructure to support this new golden age of discovery.”

The Houston lab complements ongoing development and testing of the Nyx cargo capsule – including a recent successful parachute drop test - and reflects a broader commitment to building capabilities close to key partners and customers.

The company also established TEC Federal, a dedicated U.S. entity designed to serve government customers. Operating as a U.S.-controlled organization, TEC Federal enables participation in U.S. government programs and contracts, while ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

TEC Federal can be accessed at tecfederal.com

Together, these steps reinforce The Exploration Company’s long-term commitment to the U.S. space ecosystem, from engineering and testing on the ground, to building the organizational framework needed to support government missions.  

About The Exploration Company (TEC)
TEC is a global space company with European roots, building space vehicles for humanity. Working across nations to foster collaboration in space, it develops the full stack of space transportation — including reusable capsules and high-thrust engines — to carry cargo and, ultimately, people to space and safely back home.  

Founded in 2021 by Hélène Huby and a team of aerospace veterans, The Exploration Company serves space agencies and commercial operators. It is backed by top-tier venture investors and expanding across sites in Europe, the United States, and the UAE.

For more information, visit www.exploration.space.  

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Image: NASA / ESA International Space Station Program