REXUS/BEXUS
REXUS/BEXUS is a European educational programme that lets university students design, build, and fly scientific and technological experiments on sounding rockets and stratospheric balloons operated by DLR, SNSA, ESA, and EuroLaunch from Esrange Space Center in Sweden.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
REXUS/BEXUS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- REXUS/BEXUS
- Legal name
- REXUS/BEXUS (Rocket and Balloon Experiments for University Students)
- Website
- https://rexusbexus.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- REXUS/BEXUS is a European educational programme that lets university students design, build, and fly scientific and technological experiments on sounding rockets and stratospheric balloons operated by DLR, SNSA, ESA, and EuroLaunch from Esrange Space Center in Sweden.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
REXUS/BEXUS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Education / Student Experimental Flight Programmes
- NAICS
- Space Research and Technology (927110)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Reentry, Descent & Landing Systems (Capsules, Heat Shields, Parachutes) (IMABACAL)
Keywords
REXUS/BEXUS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
REXUS/BEXUS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
REXUS/BEXUS is a European educational programme that allows university students to design, build, and launch scientific and technological experiments on sounding rockets (REXUS) and stratospheric balloons (BEXUS). Two rockets and two balloons are launched annually from Esrange Space Center, carrying up to 20 student experiments per campaign covering disciplines such as atmospheric research, plasma physics, biology, climate research, and technology demonstrations. The programme provides full technical mentorship from DLR, SNSA, ESA, SSC Space, and ZARM experts throughout the project lifecycle.
Product overview
REXUS/BEXUS (Rocket and Balloon Experiments for University Students) is a European educational program that enables university students to design, build, and launch scientific and technological experiments on sounding rockets (REXUS) and stratospheric balloons (BEXUS). The program is a collaboration between DLR (German Aerospace Center), SNSA (Swedish National Space Agency), ESA, and SSC Space, with operations managed by EuroLaunch. Two rockets and two balloons are launched annually, carrying up to 20 student experiments to altitudes of approximately 90 km (rockets) and 30 km (balloons). The program provides hands-on experience in space technology development, covering disciplines including atmospheric research, fluid physics, materials science, radiation physics, biology, astrophysics, and various technology demonstrations such as re-entry systems, propulsion, navigation, and microgravity research.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- REXUS (Rocket Experiments for University Students) A sounding rocket programme that allows university students to design, build, and launch scientific and technological experiments on unguided, spin-stabilised rockets powered by an Improved Orion Motor with 290 kg of solid propellant. Capable of taking 40 kg of student experiment modules to an altitude of approximately 90 km. Two rockets are launched annually from Esrange Space Center.
- BEXUS (Balloon Experiments for University Students) A stratospheric research balloon programme enabling university students to conduct experiments on high-altitude balloons. Experiments are lifted by a balloon with 12,000 m³ volume to a maximum altitude of 30 km, with flight durations of 2-5 hours and a total experiment mass of 40-100 kg. Two balloons are launched annually from Esrange Space Center.
Companies that use REXUS/BEXUS
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
REXUS/BEXUS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
REXUS/BEXUS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreDLR is one of the two bilateral agency partners responsible for the REXUS/BEXUS programme. Through its Space Administration, DLR oversees the German Space Programme. DLR's Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA) provides launch vehicle expertise, campaign management, and technical support to student teams. German university students apply through DLR.
- SNSA (Swedish National Space Agency)coreSNSA is the bilateral agency partner alongside DLR responsible for the programme. The Swedish share of the payload has been made available to students from other European countries through collaboration with ESA. SNSA also manages the ESA/SNSA application process for students from non-German ESA Member States.
- ESA (European Space Agency)coreESA's Education Office provides access to the programme for students from ESA Member States, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia through the ESA/SNSA application channel. ESA experts provide technical support to student teams throughout the project lifecycle.
- EuroLaunch (SSC Space + DLR MORABA)coreEuroLaunch is the cooperation established in 2003 between SSC Space and DLR MORABA responsible for campaign management and operations of the REXUS/BEXUS launch vehicles. It leverages 50 years of combined sounding rocket and balloon mission experience.
- SSC SpacecoreSSC Space operates the Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, the launch site for all REXUS and BEXUS missions. SSC Space is the Swedish partner in the EuroLaunch joint venture and provides specialised competence in rocket and balloon systems, launch services, and flight test services. SSC Space employs approximately 750 people.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
REXUS/BEXUS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ESA Education Office: Runs the ESA/SNSA channel for REXUS/BEXUS and the broader portfolio of European student programs including Fly Your Thesis, ESA Academy, and student satellite initiatives — adjacent educational offerings serving the same student base.
- DLR (German Aerospace Center): Bilateral agency partner operating REXUS through Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA). DLR runs a far broader portfolio of research, space operations, and education programs with REXUS/BEXUS as one signature student initiative.
- CNES (French National Centre for Space Studies): French space agency supporting student experiment opportunities including parabolic flight and sounding rocket projects. Comparable to DLR/SNSA in role and serves a partially overlapping European student audience.
- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency): Operates Japanese student rocket and balloon programs (e.g., university-led sounding rocket campaigns) that are functionally analogous to REXUS/BEXUS, providing comparable opportunities for Japanese university students.
- Swedish Space Corporation (SSC Space): Operates Esrange Space Center and is a core EuroLaunch partner for REXUS/BEXUS. Beyond student programs, SSC offers commercial launch and balloon services to European institutional and commercial customers.
Emerging players
- World View Enterprises: Commercial stratospheric balloon operator offering payload flight services to ~30 km. While not an educational program, it provides competing high-altitude balloon access that could overlap with BEXUS use cases in the future.
- Zero 2 Infinity: European near-space stratospheric balloon operator targeting research and technology customers. Operates in a similar altitude band to BEXUS and represents a potential commercial alternative for European institutions.
Regional players
- Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) / Andøya Space: Operates sounding rocket and balloon launch infrastructure from Andøya in northern Norway. Provides comparable student flight opportunities in a different Nordic geography that may overlap with the REXUS/BEXUS student community.
Direct peers
- NASA RockSat / RockOn: NASA's student sounding rocket program at Wallops Flight Facility, enabling university teams to design, build, and fly experiments on suborbital rockets — the closest US analog to REXUS in mission profile and customer base.
- NASA High Altitude Student Platform (HASP): Louisiana State University-led program flying student experiments on NASA high-altitude balloons, directly comparable to BEXUS in platform type, altitude regime, and student-team customer profile.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
REXUS/BEXUS social profiles
Digital presenceREXUS/BEXUS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
REXUS/BEXUS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
REXUS/BEXUS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
REXUS/BEXUS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about REXUS/BEXUS
What does REXUS/BEXUS do?
REXUS/BEXUS is a European educational programme that allows university students to design, build, and launch scientific and technological experiments on sounding rockets (REXUS) and stratospheric balloons (BEXUS). Two rockets and two balloons are launched annually from Esrange Space Center, carrying up to 20 student experiments per campaign covering disciplines such as atmospheric research, plasma physics, biology, climate research, and technology demonstrations. The programme provides full technical mentorship from DLR, SNSA, ESA, SSC Space, and ZARM experts throughout the project lifecycle.
Is REXUS/BEXUS a public or private company?
REXUS/BEXUS is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was REXUS/BEXUS founded?
REXUS/BEXUS was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Who are REXUS/BEXUS's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ESA Education Office, DLR (German Aerospace Center), CNES (French National Centre for Space Studies), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and Swedish Space Corporation (SSC Space). Emerging players are World View Enterprises and Zero 2 Infinity. Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) / Andøya Space is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are NASA RockSat / RockOn and NASA High Altitude Student Platform (HASP).
Does REXUS/BEXUS have an API?
No public API is recorded for REXUS/BEXUS.
What industry is REXUS/BEXUS in?
REXUS/BEXUS's product category is Space Education / Student Experimental Flight Programmes. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAA, Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets, with a secondary code of IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR). Its NAICS code is 927110 and its SIC code is 3760.