JACKSONVILLE, Florida: Redwire Corporation, a leading aerospace and defense technology company, announced the successful completion of the integration of its Hammerhead spacecraft platform for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) upcoming Atmospheric Limb Tracker for Investigation of the Upcoming Stratosphere (ALTIUS) mission. This significant milestone was achieved at Redwire’s advanced satellite processing facility in Kruibeke, Belgium, where the company serves as the prime contractor for the ALTIUS project.
The Hammerhead spacecraft platform, designed specifically for low Earth orbit applications, is a versatile and highly reliable satellite bus with a proven track record of 50 years of in-orbit performance without spacecraft failure. The ALTIUS satellite also incorporates Redwire’s third-generation Advanced Data and Power Management System (ADPMS-3) avionics, which are critical for the mission’s demanding atmospheric observation objectives.
Following the integration phase, the satellite will undergo comprehensive platform system testing and payload integration to complete the assembly of the full ALTIUS satellite. The mission aims to provide detailed atmospheric studies by tracking the stratosphere’s limb, contributing valuable data to understand climate and atmospheric processes.
Redwire’s Belgium facility has established itself as a world-class hub for satellite manufacturing and integration, boasting over 40 years of spaceflight heritage. The site has been instrumental in delivering all satellites for ESA’s Proba program, including Proba-1, Proba-2, Proba-V, and the recently launched Proba-3 mission. This legacy of excellence underscores Redwire’s capability to support complex multinational space missions with efficiency and precision.
Mike Gold, President of Civil and International Space at Redwire, praised the team’s achievement: “Hammerhead’s integration marks another major success at our Belgium facility, which has become a cornerstone for complex multinational space missions. We are incredibly proud of the team’s accomplishment in achieving this milestone, and we look forward to continuing to build on this track record of efficiency and on-time deliveries for ESA in support of a bold new era of European space exploration and development”.
In addition to ALTIUS, Redwire’s Belgium facility is actively engaged in manufacturing Skimsat, a technology demonstrator satellite designed to operate in very low Earth orbit. This project further exemplifies Redwire’s commitment to innovation and advancing space infrastructure for future missions.
Redwire Corporation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, employs approximately 1,300 professionals across the United States and Europe. The company focuses on developing advanced aerospace infrastructure, autonomous systems, and multi-domain operations by leveraging digital engineering and AI automation. Redwire’s integrated approach aims to transform the future of space and airborne platforms, positioning the company as a key player in the next-generation space economy.
The completion of the Hammerhead spacecraft integration for the ALTIUS mission not only highlights Redwire’s technical expertise but also reinforces its strategic partnership with ESA. This collaboration is set to enhance European capabilities in space exploration and atmospheric science, contributing to a deeper understanding of Earth’s stratosphere and climate dynamics.
This exclusive report covers Redwire’s recent milestone in satellite integration, emphasizing the company’s leadership role in supporting ESA’s ambitious atmospheric research mission and its broader impact on European space infrastructure development.
