Redwire to receive $20M from DARPA for satellite flight tests

American space technology company Redwire has been awarded a $20 million contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The funding is allocated under the Otter program, which aims to develop advanced satellites equipped with air-breathing electric propulsion systems.

Key highlights of the project: - The contract value awarded by DARPA is $20 million. - The Otter program focuses on developing satellites with air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP). - Operations are targeted for ultra-low Earth orbits ranging from 90 to 250 km in altitude. - A preliminary test flight of a scaled-down SabreSat is scheduled for late 2027.

Understanding Ultra-Low Earth Orbits and ABEP Technology At ultra-low altitudes between 90 and 250 kilometers, satellites experience significant atmospheric drag, which causes their orbits to decay rapidly. Traditional spacecraft require large fuel reserves to constantly correct their altitude, severely limiting their operational lifespan. Finding a sustainable propulsion method for this region has been a major goal for defense and aerospace agencies. The air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) technology intends to use the sparse atmospheric particles found at these low altitudes as propellant. By collecting and ionizing ambient air, the spacecraft can counteract aerodynamic drag natively, enabling longer missions and closer proximity operations without depleting traditional onboard propellant supplies.

SabreSat Test Mission and Upcoming Milestones This new DARPA contract will fund a preliminary flight test utilizing a scaled-down version of the SabreSat satellite developed by Redwire. The launch is currently planned for late 2027, with the experimental vehicle expected to spend less than a day in ultra-low orbit. During this brief window, critical components of the air-breathing propulsion system will be thoroughly tested in a real space environment. Flight data gathered from this initial mission will pave the way for a full-scale demonstration mission, although DARPA has not yet released a definitive timeline for the follow-up phase. The ongoing development represents a critical stepping stone toward persistent operations in ultra-low Earth orbit.

Broader Program Context and Industry Impact This marks the second major award for Redwire under the Otter initiative, following a $44 million contract secured in November 2025 for earlier developmental phases. Concurrently, Redwire is acting as the prime contractor for Europe's Skimsat mission, which shares similar objectives regarding ultra-low orbit capabilities and atmospheric utilization. Although the American and European programs are developing in parallel, strict export control laws and legislative rules limit the direct sharing of certain technologies. To navigate this, Redwire intends to leverage common digital engineering tools across both projects wherever permissible by regulatory compliance.