A Test Flight That Shook the Skies

Last month, Helène Huby's small spacecraft faced a critical failure as its parachutes failed to deploy, leading to a crash into Earth’s ocean. While the mission was partly successful, it highlighted significant challenges ahead.

A Mission Worth Celebrating?

Despite the crash, there are reasons to celebrate. Huby's creation, The Exploration Company, managed to build the "Mission Possible" spacecraft for under $25 million in less than three years, achieving several milestones in spaceflight before the incident. However, as the spacecraft descended from 26 km and slowed to Mach one, communication was lost, leaving Huby anxious about the repercussions of this failure in a region where setbacks in space endeavors are often poorly received.

"Interestingly, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive from European space agencies, who considered completing 80% of the mission a solid achievement given the investment," Huby noted during a recent interview in Houston.

Focusing on the Future

Following the incident, The Exploration Company initiated an independent investigation. Huby believes that parachute deployment issues—likely tied to the company’s mechanism rather than the parachute provider—played a crucial role in the failure.

In an effort to streamline their process, they opted against expensive drop tests, an oversight Huby now recognizes. "We underestimated the risks; more ground testing could have potentially mitigated this issue," she admitted.

Plans for a New Spacecraft

Now, the company faces a pivotal decision: to develop another small test spacecraft, similar to Mission Possible, or to fast-track the creation of Nyx, a larger vehicle crafted for operational missions. Although similar, the two spacecraft differ in their parachute designs, creating uncertainty about their operational success.

Aiming for Ambitious Goals

The Nyx spacecraft, notably larger than SpaceX's Dragon, is designed to carry cargo to low-Earth orbit and will ultimately accommodate crewed missions. Huby revealed that the initial design will feature four parachutes—essential for astronaut safety, even if excessive for cargo delivery.

Part of Huby’s visit to the U.S. involves collaborating with NASA to clarify operational requirements, aiming to debut Nyx at the International Space Station by 2028, ahead of the ISS’s planned retirement.

Funding and Future Prospects

A significant milestone awaits at the European Space Agency’s Ministerial Council meeting this fall, where member states will decide on funding for cargo vehicle development. The Exploration Company is seeking at least $200 million, a goal that appears within reach but remains contingent on the meeting outcomes in Bremen, Germany.

Geopolitics and Growing Support

Huby noted shifting sentiments in Europe towards developing crewed spacecraft, a topic that wasn’t previously prioritized. The geopolitical landscape, influenced by factors including the recent U.S. elections and budget cuts affecting NASA’s collaborations, is now favoring European initiatives.

This context presents a unique opportunity for The Exploration Company to lead the charge in not just cargo transport, but also human spaceflight—a challenging yet promising path as they continue to innovate and push boundaries.