We have been selected by NASA to develop the Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory – Bio-crystal Optimization Xperiment (PIL-BOX) platforms, which can provide improvements in pharmaceutical research, partnering with @LillyPad for initial on-orbit testing: https://bit.ly/3PSvi9C
Feb 12, 2024NASA and industry partners used two 100-foot lightweight composite booms to stretch out a 4,300-square-foot (400-square-meter) prototype solar sail quadrant for the first time Jan. 30, 2024. While just one quarter of the sail was unfurled in the deployment at Redwire, the complete sail will measure 17,800 square feet when fully deployed, with the thickness less than a human hair at 2 and a half microns. The sail is made of a polymer material coated with aluminum. (Redwire Space)
Redwire are apparently now working on what they call "Orbital Drones", which seems to be an actual operational implementation of the 'very low orbit air-breathing ion engine' concept.https://x.com/RedwireSpace/status/1777744499197759502
Redwire is developing a commercial services concept which will utilize an imaging payload and spacecraft bus to provide high resolution imagery for science investigations, hazard assessment, change detection, landing site selection, and conducting surface asset monitoring and planning. The spacecraft bus design will draw upon Redwire’s heritage satellite bus design that has been utilized for multiple scientific missions and operated for more than 40 years in orbit without failure. Additionally, through its partnership with Blue Origin, Redwire plans to investigate the extensibility of leveraging the Blue Ring platform as an Orbital Transfer Vehicle for Redwire’s spacecraft.The imaging payload’s design will utilize Redwire’s Argus platform, a proven vision system that has been demonstrated on orbit and has multiple upcoming missions to low Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and the Moon.
LOS ANGELES — Redwire announced a contract June 17 to serve as prime mission integrator for a DARPA satellite with a novel propulsion system for very low Earth orbit (VLEO).SabreSat, Redwire’s VLEO satellite for government intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, will house “air-breathing” electric propulsion systems being developed through DARPA’s Otter program.
