The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded The Exploration Company a contract worth up to 760 million euros for its Nyx capsule, signed in Paris during the International Space Summit. This marks a major milestone for the company, which was founded just five years ago by Hélène Huby. The contract, known as ALADDIN, is the ESA's largest ever for a European space company involved in cargo transport. It includes a demonstration mission and two potential service missions to the International Space Station (ISS), with the ESA covering 60% of the costs for the first phase. The contract was signed during a major ceremony in Paris, and it also includes an agreement with Arianespace to launch the Nyx capsule using an Ariane 6 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. The Nyx capsule is designed to resupply the ISS and return with cargo to Earth. It recently completed a key test in California that validated a critical part of its parachute system, essential for a safe return to Earth. The company has also secured a significant amount of private investment, including a recent $450 million funding round, bringing its total private investment to around $680 million. The Exploration Company, now employing over 550 people across several countries, has already signed contracts worth around $2 billion for future cargo missions. These include partnerships with companies like Axiom, Starlab, and Vast. The company is also working on Storm, a reusable rocket engine modeled after SpaceX’s Raptor engines. Hélène Huby, the founder, emphasized the significance of securing the ESA contract in an open competition, especially given the company’s relatively young age. The ALADDIN program, initiated by the ESA in 2022, aims to establish Europe's independent capability to transport cargo to low Earth orbit, reducing reliance on international partners. Initially, two companies received $25 million each to start their projects, but the program has since evolved to focus on automated docking and accelerated timelines. This year marks a critical phase for the program, with the ESA now moving forward with the Nyx capsule as its flagship project.