Arianespace to launch Nyx demo on Ariane 64

(SpaceEnergy) Arianespace has agreed to launch The Exploration Company’s reusable Nyx cargo capsule on an Ariane 64 for its first ESA ALADDIN demonstration mission from French Guiana.

The mission will launch from the Guiana Space Centre and support ESA’s ALADDIN programme, which is intended to establish an autonomous European capability to transport cargo to and from low Earth orbit.

Arianespace said Nyx will continue its mission autonomously after separation in low Earth orbit. The reusable spacecraft is being developed to carry cargo to orbit and return it to Earth.

The agreement represents a new committed mission for Ariane 64 and links Europe’s heavy-lift launch infrastructure with a developing reusable orbital-transport system.

Najwa Naimy, The Exploration Company’s president and chief programme officer for Nyx, said flexibility had been “a core principle from day one”, allowing the spacecraft to serve missions using different launch systems and destinations.

Financial terms and a launch date were not disclosed in the announcement.