Ride into space with The Exploration Company
Published on Wed, 29.03.2023 – 21:56 CEST in Missions, covering The Exploration CompanyFirst edition of the ESA Payload Masters in cooperation with The Exploration Company
Clear rules for fair competition
With "Mission Possible" to the forefront of global space flight
The European Space Agency (ESA) is working hard to keep pace with the world's best in international competition. Commercialization of the space industry is a major driver. To promote this, regular innovation competitions are held, such as the ESA Payload Masters. In its first edition, one of two slots will be awarded together with The Exploration Company and AZO for the first flight of the Nyx reusable spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch as early as October 2024.
First edition of the ESA Payload Masters in cooperation with The Exploration Company
Under the title "Let's Break Down the Barriers of In-Orbit Demonstration," an online event took place on March 28, 2023. More than 200 participants expressed their interest in joining on the business network LinkedIn. It was followed by an impressive presentation of the spacecraft Nyx, which is scheduled to make its maiden flight in October of next year. The name of the mission, "Mission Possible," is a clear indication of the company's confidence in its success. As announced, payloads will be sent on this test flight through the ESA Payload Masters program.
There are two slots to win, and the application process is open from now until April 30, 2023. In calendar week 15, there will be a webinar for potential passengers. The finalists will pitch their payloads during the "Spring School on Space Commercialisation and Start-ups," which will take place in Bari, Italy on May 23 and 24, 2023. The winners will be announced between June 19 and 25, 2023, at the ESA booth during the Paris Air Show.
Clear rules for fair competition
To participate in the competition, various criteria must be met. Only legal entities based in one of the 22 ESA member states, an associated partner country, or Canada are allowed. In addition, payloads or experiments for microgravity must already have a Technology Readiness Level of 5, meaning critical functions of components and/or breadboards must have been tested in the appropriate environment.
Employees of the ESA and their relatives are excluded from participation, as are members of the jury and individuals subject to rules, restrictions, or guidelines regarding contests, gifts, prizes, awards, or sweepstakes. Also, companies with more than 250 employees have no chance of having their payloads or experiments flown.
With "Mission Possible" to the forefront of global space flight
As stated in Nyx's Payload User's Guide, the payload must be delivered to The Exploration Company no later than four months before the launch. It will then be integrated into the spacecraft and transported to the launch site. However, long-term experiments are not possible on this flight. After being shot into low Earth orbit, there will be uninterrupted microgravity for at least 30 minutes. However, since "Mission Possible" primarily serves to test Nyx, it will quickly return to Earth. If everything goes according to plan until landing, the two winners will receive their payload or experiment back approximately eight weeks after the launch. According to the current plan, this will be in December 2024/January 2025. The Payload Masters winners may receive a very special Christmas or New Year's gift, and ESA could have taken a significant step towards the forefront of spaceflight thanks to The Exploration Company. In view of the current dynamics in the European NewSpace ecosystem, anything is possible. Or to put it in the words of The Exploration Company: "MISSION POSSIBLE".
The Exploration Company introduces Nyx
