JACKSONVILLE, Florida: Redwire Corporation, a global leader in aerospace and defense technology, has announced a landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japanese startup SpaceData Inc. This exclusive partnership marks a significant expansion of Redwire’s international collaborations, specifically targeting the rapidly growing Japanese technology sector.
The newly signed MOU between Redwire and SpaceData is set to accelerate the development and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital engineering systems for space missions. The agreement outlines a multi-faceted collaboration, focusing on:
- Integrating SpaceData’s digital solutions into Redwire’s digital ecosystem to support ongoing and future missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
- Jointly exploring solutions to advance NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Destination initiatives, including components, systems, and software.
- Pursuing future opportunities for Cislunar, Lunar, and Deep Space missions and services.
- Leveraging SpaceData’s AI for space and robotics capabilities to enhance mission efficiency and reliability.
Shawn Buckley, Senior Vice President of Civil and International Space at Redwire, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership, “Redwire is excited to collaborate with SpaceData to enhance our advanced digital engineering tools that will be used to unlock the full potential of low Earth orbit on the ISS, future commercial destinations, Lunar and deep space missions. AI and Digital Engineering will lead the way in efficiently developing critical space infrastructure and next-generation platforms, and we are proud to align with partners who share that same vision.”
Atsushi Takata, Executive Vice President of Space Utilization and Global Strategy at SpaceData, highlighted the shared vision, “This partnership with Redwire is not just a collaboration—it’s a shared leap toward a future where space becomes a living, thriving extension of humanity. By combining Redwire’s proven space technologies with our AI-powered digital twin and robotic systems, we aim to accelerate the development of sustainable infrastructure in LEO, on the Moon, and beyond.”
Redwire’s Digital Ecosystem for Mission and System Integration (DEMSI) is a cutting-edge digital engineering environment. It merges top-tier commercial system and domain engineering tools with Redwire’s proprietary Agent-based Configurable Open-system Real-time Network (ACORN), a no/low-code framework for high-fidelity simulation. This environment allows for hardware-in-the-loop simulation, combining real and virtual components to optimize mission outcomes.
SpaceData brings advanced digital solutions such as the ISS Simulator and Lunar Digital Twin, enabling industries to simulate hardware behaviors and mission scenarios virtually. Their ISS Simulator has demonstrated exceptional accuracy, mirroring commands between physical ISS hardware and its virtual counterpart. SpaceData is also pioneering operating systems for private space stations and robotics to assist astronauts, further supporting the democratization of space.
This partnership is expected to set new benchmarks for international collaboration in the space sector, leveraging AI and digital engineering to create robust, sustainable infrastructure for humanity’s next great leap beyond Earth. As Redwire and SpaceData join forces, the dream of a vibrant, interconnected space civilization draws ever closer to reality.
