JACKSONVILLE, Florida: Redwire Corporation, a prominent player in space infrastructure for the evolving space economy, has announced the successful delivery of the onboard computer for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) innovative Comet Interceptor mission. This milestone, achieved through a contract with OHB Italia S.p.A. (OHB Italy), marks a significant step toward the mission’s planned launch in 2029, which aims to study a pristine comet originating from the outer reaches of the Solar System.
ESA’s Comet Interceptor mission is set to be the first spacecraft to rendezvous with a comet coming directly from the distant outer Solar System, carrying material that has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of the Solar System. Unlike previous comet missions that studied short-period comets repeatedly exposed to the Sun’s influence, Comet Interceptor will target a dynamically new comet, offering scientists an unprecedented glimpse into the early Solar System’s primordial matter.
The spacecraft will initially be positioned at the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L2, a stable gravitational zone where it will await the discovery of a suitable comet. Once identified, the spacecraft will embark on a journey to intercept the comet, deploying three spacecraft to perform simultaneous observations from multiple vantage points. This approach will enable the creation of a detailed three-dimensional profile of the comet’s surface, structure, and gas composition.
Redwire’s wholly owned Belgian subsidiary, Redwire Space NV, developed the mission’s onboard computer, which serves as the “brain” of the Comet Interceptor spacecraft. This advanced computer system is responsible for monitoring and controlling other spacecraft components and transmitting critical scientific data back to Earth. The onboard computer is part of Redwire’s third-generation Advanced Data and Power Management System (ADPMS-3), a sophisticated avionics platform with 25 years of flight heritage and a proven track record in space missions.
Mike Gold, President of Civil and International Space Business at Redwire, expressed pride in this achievement, highlighting the company’s avionics expertise and the importance of the ADPMS-3 system in enabling ambitious European and multinational space missions. He emphasized that this delivery brings the Comet Interceptor mission one step closer to launch, underscoring Redwire’s critical role in the next generation of space exploration.
Before delivery, the onboard computer underwent a comprehensive acceptance testing campaign, including vibration, thermal vacuum, and electromagnetic compatibility tests to ensure its reliability in the harsh conditions of space. Following these successful tests, the unit was shipped to OHB Italia’s headquarters, where it will undergo integration with the spacecraft and a final acceptance review. These steps are crucial to prepare the spacecraft for its targeted 2029 launch.
In addition to its pivotal role in the Comet Interceptor mission, Redwire’s onboard computer system will also support ESA’s Hera mission, Europe’s first planetary defense initiative. Hera is part of a multinational effort to develop technologies for asteroid deflection, complementing NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission. This dual application of Redwire’s ADPMS-3 system highlights its versatility and importance in advancing planetary science and defense.
Redwire’s European operations, based in Belgium, boast over 40 years of spaceflight heritage. The company has been instrumental in the development of spacecraft platforms and innovative technologies for several key ESA programs. Notably, Redwire was the prime contractor for the Proba satellite series—Proba-1, Proba-2, and Proba-V—which collectively have accumulated 50 years of flight time without failure, demonstrating the reliability of Redwire’s technology.
Beyond these missions, Redwire continues to contribute to a range of ESA projects, including:
- Skimsat: A technology demonstrator for a small satellite platform designed to operate in very low Earth orbit.
- The International Berthing and Docking Mechanism for the lunar Gateway space station.
- Proba-3: The first precision formation flying mission aimed at studying the Sun’s corona.
The announcement of the onboard computer delivery was met with enthusiasm in the financial markets, with Redwire’s shares surging nearly 18% on the news. This positive market reaction reflects investor confidence in Redwire’s technological leadership and its growing role in high-profile space missions that are shaping the future of space exploration.
As ESA’s Comet Interceptor mission advances toward its 2029 launch, Redwire’s onboard computer will be central to the mission’s success, enabling the spacecraft to navigate, operate, and transmit valuable data from a comet that holds clues to the origins of the Solar System. This mission, along with Redwire’s ongoing support of planetary defense and other ESA programs, underscores the company’s vital position in the global space industry and its commitment to pioneering new frontiers in space science.
Redwire Corporation’s delivery of the ADPMS-3 onboard computer for ESA’s Comet Interceptor mission represents a major achievement in space technology, supporting a mission that promises to deepen humanity’s understanding of the Solar System’s earliest materials. With rigorous testing complete and integration underway, the mission is on track for its 2029 launch, poised to make history by visiting a pristine comet for the first time.
