Winner of ESA Payload Masters

This opportunity was initiated within the ESA Payload Masters where the European Space Agency (ESA), in partnership with AZO Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen, was able to secure two places at Nyx and award them to two chosen proposals. 

Following a competitive selection process, the top 6 finalists got the possibility to pitch at a dedicated session during the Spring School on Space Commercialisation and Start-ups in Bari, Italy, on 23-24 May 2023. As a result, the 2 selected winners were chosen and awarded at the ESA Booth at the International Paris Air Show on 19-25 June 2023.

Nyx “Mission Possible” is planned to last about three hours and will be launched in Q2 2025 from SpaceX Falcon 9. It will enable 300kg of payloads to experience a microgravity environment for up to one hour before the capsule performs a controlled re-entry.

With this In-Orbit Demonstration and Validation (IOV/IOD) opportunity, Hydromars aims to validate its technology process using hydrophobic microporous membranes. Data from this test will be used, among others, to drive design choices for components, process control, sensor and actuator performance, system mode switching and will lead to updated requirements and further design trade-offs for Hydromars’ full-scale device.

The opportunity provided by ESA is a considerable milestone for Hydromars as IOD/IOV is a key ingredient of Hydromars’ business plan.