From studying the dark universe to bioprinting in space to benefit Earth, the Redwire team continued to advance humanity’s presence in space through innovation and excellence. Check out some of the highlights from the past year below:

Bioprinting the First Human Knee Meniscus on the ISS

Redwire is indeed living in a biotech world. After being successful installed on the International Space Station (ISS), Redwire’s BioFabrication Facility (BFF) bioprinted the first human knee meniscus on orbit. Following successful print operations in July, the meniscus was successfully returned to Earth for analysis.  This successful print opens the door to improved treatments for meniscal injuries and is a major leap forward for reliable bioprinting at scale.

We are looking forward to more 3D bioprinting in 2024! On the recent SpaceX-29 mission to the ISS, Redwire launched materials for an investigation that will use BFF to bioprint cardiac tissue on station. BFF is part of Redwire’s broad portfolio of space biotech and microgravity development capabilities targeting the use of the unique environment in space to enhance life on Earth.

Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of microgravity for bioprinting and the groundbreaking meniscus print:

Redwire and Marvel Studios Team Up to Support a Super Powered STEAM Initiative

In 2023, Redwire and Microsoft partnered to create unique learning opportunities inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” For this collaboration, Redwire and Microsoft created educational materials to engage students in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM) topics, including 3D printing for future space exploration and microgravity R&D and manufacturing for the benefit of humanity.

The suite of educational film-themed materials included a commemorative space mission patch featuring Rocket and Cosmo from “Guardians of the Galaxy,” a virtual field trip at Redwire HQ, and a teacher’s educational guide highlighting the current and future applications of 3D printing in space to educate and inspire the next generation of explorers.

Learn more here.

Redwire Antenna Technology Enables First Tactical Link 16 Transmission from Space

The Link 16 waveform provides a tactical advantage for the warfighter by enabling the transmission of rapid and secure communications directly to the battlefield, speeding decision-making cycles. Earlier this year, Redwire’s antennas were used for the first link 16 transmission from space, a major milestone for the future development of tactical warfighter networks in space.

“Redwire is proud to contribute to this transformative achievement that advances crucial capabilities for our nation’s defense,” said Redwire Space Systems President Adam Biskner. “This demonstration underscores that Redwire is delivering capabilities critical to space development that are proven and effective.”

The successful Link 16 demonstration comes as Redwire prepares to deliver more L-Band antennas to another national security customer.

Read more about this exciting milestone here.

Redwire Hardware Enabling ESA’s Euclid Mission to Explore Dark Matter Across the Galaxies

In July, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope launched with a Redwire baffle onboard. Euclid is investigating three extremely dark patches of the sky by measuring shapes and redshifts of galaxies – it is looking back in time 10 billion years! Data from Euclid will enable scientists to study the time period when dark energy accelerated the expansion of the universe. The spacecraft sent back its first images in November.

The Euclid baffle, designed and delivered by Redwire’s team in Belgium, is a lightweight structure that shields stray light from the Euclid telescope so that it can perform properly without light interference.

Read more here.

Redwire Selected for $12.9 million NASA Award to Develop Systems to Build Landing Pads, Roads, and other Infrastructure on the Moon

In July, Redwire announced that it had won a NASA Tipping Point award to prototype a first-of-its-kind manufacturing technology intended to build critical infrastructure on the surface of the Moon, including landing pads, roads and foundations for habitats. This technology could enable robust construction on the lunar surface to advance human and robotic operations, paving the way for a sustainable human presence and a dynamic lunar economy.

Redwire’s cutting-edge manufacturing technology will use a microwave emitter to heat and solidify regolith (lunar dust and crushed rock) to construct landing pads, roads, foundations, and dust mitigation surfaces.

Read the full announcement here.

As we head in to the new year, follow Redwire on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube for the latest Redwire news.