Florida Company Win Contract to Develop Unmanned Spacecraft for DARPA’s Orbital Engine Program

Redwire Corporation secures a contract to develop a cutting-edge spacecraft for DARPA’s Otter program, aimed at advancing "air-breathing" electric engines for satellites in low-Earth orbit. Powered by advanced technology, SabreSat promises extended operational life and enhanced mission capabilities.

Redwire Corporation, a Florida-based leader in space infrastructure, has been awarded a contract by DARPA to develop an unmanned spacecraft for the Otter program. This initiative aims to advance "air-breathing" electric engine technology, which will enable satellites to operate efficiently in very low-Earth orbit (VLEO) by harnessing ambient, low-density air.

The spacecraft, known as SabreSat, weighs 400 kilograms (881 pounds) and is designed for complex missions including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, navigation, and Earth science. It can carry payloads measuring up to 100 x 10 x 40 centimeters (39 x 3.9 x 15.7 inches) and weighing approximately 200 kilograms (440 pounds). Powered by an advanced alternator pulley generating up to 5,000 watts, SabreSat operates at altitudes exceeding 150 kilometers (93 miles) and boasts an operational lifespan of up to seven years.

Redwire will leverage its proprietary digital engineering tools, specifically the Digitally Engineered Mission Systems & Integration (DEMSI) platform, tailored for VLEO environments. These tools allow for precise modeling that factors in variables like weather conditions, atmospheric drag, and corrosion resistance.

The Otter program, in collaboration with Phase Four, a California-based propulsion systems provider, focuses on developing electric propulsion systems capable of functioning in VLEO altitudes ranging from 90 to 450 kilometers (55 to 279 miles). This technology is crucial for enhancing national security missions in the increasingly important VLEO domain.