Scorpius and EXOS team up on reusable spaceflight

Scorpius Space Launch Company and EXOS Aerospace announced a strategic partnership June 24, 2026, to speed reusable flight systems and lower the cost of access to space. The deal pairs Scorpius’ composite propulsion technology with EXOS’ reusable suborbital launch platforms as both companies prepare for more lunar and flight-test activity in 2026.

Why it matters: - The partnership is aimed at making spaceflight more reusable, more repeatable and less expensive. - The companies are betting that reusable systems and composite structures can reduce risk before hardware moves to orbital missions. - The collaboration also strengthens two U.S. aerospace hubs: Texas and Southern California.

What happened: - Scorpius Space Launch Company and Texas-based EXOS Aerospace announced a strategic partnership on June 24, 2026. - The agreement is designed to accelerate reusable flight systems and expand cost-effective access to space. - Both companies share a focus on clean, non-toxic propellants. - Scorpius said its technology, through work with Intuitive Machines, has contributed to two spacecraft now on the lunar surface. - Scorpius said that record makes it the only private propulsion provider with technology on two spacecraft currently resting on the Moon.

The details: - EXOS Aerospace operates reusable suborbital launch vehicles for payload developers, researchers, defense customers and emerging orbital technologies. - EXOS is one of only three FAA-licensed reusable rocket launch providers in the United States. - EXOS is preparing for its BLK3 reusable suborbital flight campaign. - EXOS is seeking payload customers over the next six months. - The partnership combines Scorpius’ advanced composite pressure vessels and propulsion heritage with EXOS’ reusable flight platforms and Integrated Pressurized Structures, or IPS. - IPS uses the propellant tank as the primary load-bearing structure of the vehicle instead of a separate tank bolted into the airframe. - The design removes redundant airframe pieces, joints and interfaces. - The companies say the result is fewer parts, fewer leak paths, lower dry mass and more payload capacity. - The composite structures use room-temperature-cure, or RT-cure, resins that do not require an autoclave or high-temperature tooling. - The RT-cure approach lowers manufacturing cost and energy use. - The RT-cure laminates have shown no microcracking in testing. - The companies say that addresses a major failure mode for composite cryogenic tanks during repeated thermal cycles. - Scorpius is preparing for its third and fourth lunar missions, both scheduled for 2026.

Between the lines: - The deal signals a push to move reusable space infrastructure from concept to routine operating hardware. - The emphasis on non-toxic propellants and RT-cure composites suggests both companies are targeting lower operating costs and easier scaling. - EXOS’ search for payload customers points to a near-term commercial test window for the partnership’s reusable systems. - The focus on Texas and Southern California reflects how U.S. space development is concentrating in regional aerospace clusters.

What's next: - Scorpius expects additional lunar missions in 2026. - EXOS plans to advance its BLK3 reusable suborbital flight campaign. - EXOS will continue seeking payload customers over the next six months. - The companies aim to support spacecraft, satellites and defense systems with lower cost and higher reliability.

The bottom line: - Scorpius and EXOS are pairing propulsion and reusable launch infrastructure to make spaceflight cheaper, cleaner and more repeatable.