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Hèlene Huby leads The Exploration Company as it secures major funding and contracts for European space missions

Hèlene Huby, the chief executive of The Exploration Company, has secured a significant capital raise of $450 million in Series C funding. This represents the largest Series C funding round by a Europe-based space company and the largest funding round ever raised by a female-led company in Europe. The funding will support the development of the company's Nyx cargo spacecraft and the Storm rocket engine. The Exploration Company has also secured contracts to fly a demonstration mission of the Nyx spacecraft to the International Space Station in 2028. The European Space Agency awarded a contract worth up to 760 million euros ($882 million) for this mission. Additionally, Arianespace signed a contract with The Exploration Company to launch the Nyx spacecraft aboard an Ariane 6 rocket as part of the European Space Agency's ALADDIN initiative. Huby stated that Europe needs massive rockets and a high cadence of launches to remain relevant in the space industry. She aims to develop a reusable heavy-lift launcher that serves as an affordable alternative to SpaceX. The company currently has 10 Nyx missions booked, with over $2 billion in contracts and commitments.

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