SabreSat Orbital Drone
A New Breed of Satellite
Whether your mission requires persistent, high-resolution imagery or resilient communications, Redwire’s highly flexible SabreSat VLEO platform delivers.
Designed for performance, endurance, and cost-effectiveness, SabreSat can be produced in volume to meet the needs of large constellations.
OVERVIEW
SabreSat Product Information
| Size (Stowed/Unstowed) | Modular |
| Payload | 100 cm x 80 cm x 40 cm |
| Payload Mass | ~200 kg |
| Power Available | Orbit & Configuration dependent, up to 5,000 W OAP (EOL) |
| Propulsion | Electric or air-breathing (optional) |
| Mission Applications | ISR, Communications, Navigation, Earth Science |
Contact us to discuss your mission needs.
Why VLEO?
Bridging the gap between air and space, VLEO offers a number of strategic benefits:
Resiliency
Satellites in VLEO operate in an unimpaired environment, flying above airborne anti-access and area-denial and below the threats in LEO. Debris in VLEO deorbits in hours or days.
Proximity
By operating at a lower altitude, VLEO spacecraft are twice as close to the action on the ground, and therefore better able to observe it.
Mobility
Maneuver without regret becomes a reality with SabreSat’s optional air-breathing propulsion system, which enables gradual and repeatable drag/thrust maneuvers.
Complementary
Adding VLEO satellites to an existing constellation enables entirely new capabilities.
Redwire's Digital Engineering Delivers Confidence for an Untapped Orbit
Configured for the challenging environment of VLEO, Redwire’s digital engineering tools enable you to operate with confidence.
Digital engineering support included ahead of spacecraft production
Explore a variety of mission use-cases through live simulation of your constellation
Manage and optimize for atmospheric drag
Advanced link budget simulation to ground stations and space relays
Contact us to discuss your mission needs.
SPOTLIGHT
Skimsat
For the European Space Agency
“Skimsat stands to completely change the Earth observation market by challenging the traditional use of high altitudes that avoid air drag and by creating a new business model for high resolution imaging by using short lifetime and lead time and thus offering the market the benefit of more cost-effective satellites,” said Andrew Stanniland, CEO of Thales Alenia Space in the U.K.
Together with Thales Alenia Space, Redwire is studying the use of VLEO for the European Space Agency’s Skimsat program.
Skimsat is a VLEO satellite that aims to significantly reduce the cost of Earth observation while increasing performance by operating at substantially lower altitudes.
Let's Discuss Your Mission.
Get in touch with a space solution specialist today to discuss how you can leverage Redwire technology and capabilities to ensure mission success.