Redwire's Belgian subsidiary, Redwire Space NV, will spearhead one of two parallel industry studies for Phase A and B of the Analysis of Resolved Remnants for Accreted Galaxies as a Key Instrument for Halo Surveys (ARRAKIHS) mission. The company will base its proposed spacecraft on an enhanced version of its Hammerhead small satellite platform, a proven system recently utilized in ESA's Hera mission. Should Redwire's design be selected for implementation, the company will oversee the satellite's full integration at its advanced cleanroom facilities in Belgium.
"ARRAKIHS represents a tremendous opportunity to push the boundaries of space exploration, and we are honored to be a key contributor to this mission," stated Erik Masure, President of Redwire International. "Our extensive experience in managing major international space initiatives, as demonstrated through the success of Proba-3, reinforces our capabilities as a top-tier system integrator and spacecraft operator for ESA."
Carlos Corral van Damme, ESA's ARRAKIHS Project Manager, highlighted the mission's significance, saying, "ARRAKIHS exemplifies the benefits of Fast class missions within the ESA science program. By merging an innovative payload with a quasi-recurring platform, we can dramatically shorten the time from conceptualization to the delivery of scientific data, leading to groundbreaking discoveries. These Fast missions target specific scientific objectives while enriching the diversity of our program. Additionally, they provide invaluable training for young scientists and engineers in both academia and industry. The parallel industrial studies will ensure that the spacecraft design and essential technologies are primed for the implementation phase, pending mission adoption by the Science Program Committee in mid-2026."
Redwire's European operations in Belgium boast over four decades of expertise in spacecraft platform development, playing a pivotal role in pioneering ESA initiatives. The company was the prime contractor for ESA's PROBA-1, PROBA-2, and PROBA-V missions, which collectively account for nearly 50 years of successful spaceflight operations. Building on this legacy, Redwire continues to support key ESA projects, including Skimsat - a small satellite demonstrator designed for very low Earth orbit - along with the International Berthing and Docking Mechanism for the lunar Gateway, the Hera mission investigating the Didymos binary asteroid system, and the Proba-3 formation flying mission dedicated to studying the sun's corona.
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