It is clearer than ever that what we do in space is intrinsically connected to our daily lives here on Earth. From the GPS signal on our phone that enables us to get from point A to point B, to the satellites that connect us with individuals around the world in an instant, we are completely dependent on space-based capabilities. With our reliance on space at an all-time high, and as space continues to become an increasingly congested and contested environment, the security of our assets in space is paramount. Unfortunately, the war in space isn’t hypothetical—it is happening now. Continuing to invest in resilient, cutting-edge architectures that provide essential space-derived intelligence to warfighters and address potential weaknesses and shortfalls to our systems and programs is critical to our safety here on Earth and to American leadership in the global arena.
As a U.S.-based provider of flight-proven space infrastructure for more than 50 years, Redwire is developing many of these technologies that will support improved resiliency and space domain awareness. Ranging from innovative payloads and critical components, to digital engineering and in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing capabilities, Redwire’s technology is enabling new, more resilient capabilities and hybrid, distributed low-Earth orbit and geostationary orbit architectures that support partners like the Space Development Agency (SDA), the U.S. Space Force, and others.
National security missions are being enabled by critical spacecraft components such as ultra-wideband antennas like those Redwire provided for SDA’s Transport Layer Tranche 0, high resolution camera systems for inspection and navigation like the ones we’re providing for Orion, NASA’s next-generation human spacecraft for Artemis and future deep space missions, and other sensors and payloads, like the sun sensors and star trackers we’ve provided for the Department of Defense’s GPS and other national programs.
Deployable solutions are critical for tactical communications and RF-sensing applications. In January, Redwire successfully delivered its L-Band Link-16 Helical Antenna system for the first generation of the SDA’s National Defense Space Architecture’s Transport Layer, Tranche 0. The antennas will enable beyond line-of-sight communications for the warfighter using the Link-16 tactical network.
Furthermore, digital engineering is a critical tool for national security efforts, lowering the costs, risks and lead times associated with traditional spacecraft development and can impact future architecture deployments for national security space. Alongside several active digital engineering programs, Redwire announced last year the successful demonstration of the Hybrid Architecture Laboratory Operational Environment (HALOE) as part of a contract for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). HALOE allows users to simulate hybrid space architectures for advanced mission planning in support of complete Joint All-Domain Operations (JADC2). Redwire is also leveraging HALOE technology for the Space Cyber Resiliency through Evaluation and Security Testing (SpaceCREST) range. Co-operated with BigBear.ai, SpaceCREST is a state-of-the-art space cyber test range used for integrating space and ground hardware, software and simulation components to accurately represent full space-to-ground chain architectures.
Innovative capabilities like in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) enable more capability for a lower cost, larger apertures for smaller spacecraft and the ability to sustain and protect assets in orbit. Redwire is leader in ISAM technology and is the prime contractor for NASA’s OSAM-2 mission. Power-generation technology, like Redwire’s Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA), developed in partnership with AFRL, provides the ability to retract and redeploy solar arrays for quick maneuvering. Various versions of ROSA are enabling NASA’s DART mission and the Power and Propulsion Element of Gateway.
As our adversaries advance their own space-based capabilities, the need to adopt enabling technologies like ISAM and digital engineering is becoming more critical than ever. Through continued innovation, Redwire looks forward to supporting these efforts and continuing to enable the space infrastructure of the future.
