Unveiling Dark Matter's Secrets: Redwire to Design ESA's ARRAKIHS Spacecraft

Redwire Selected for Groundbreaking Dark Matter Mission

Redwire Corporation, a leader in space infrastructure, has embarked on a thrilling new venture with the European Space Agency (ESA). They've been tasked with designing a spacecraft for the ARRAKIHS mission, a project poised to unlock the mysteries of dark matter by capturing images of faint galaxies in our cosmic neighborhood.

Redwire Space NV, the company's Belgian subsidiary, will lead one of two parallel design studies, leveraging their enhanced Hammerhead small satellite platform – a proven system already contributing to ESA's Hera mission. If chosen, Redwire will fully integrate the satellite in their state-of-the-art Belgian cleanrooms.

A Giant Leap for Space Exploration

Erik Masure, President of Redwire International, expressed his enthusiasm: "ARRAKIHS represents a tremendous opportunity to push the boundaries of space exploration, and we are honored to be a key contributor to this mission." He emphasized Redwire's extensive experience in managing major international space initiatives, citing the success of Proba-3 as a testament to their capabilities.

"Our extensive experience in managing major international space initiatives, as demonstrated through the success of Proba-3, reinforces our capabilities as a top-tier system integrator and spacecraft operator for ESA.” - Erik Masure, President of Redwire International

Fast-Tracking Scientific Discovery

ESA's ARRAKIHS Project Manager, Carlos Corral van Damme, highlighted the mission's innovative approach: "ARRAKIHS exemplifies the benefits of Fast class missions within the ESA science program." This fast-tracked approach combines cutting-edge technology with a readily adaptable platform to accelerate the journey from concept to data acquisition, promising groundbreaking discoveries. These Fast missions not only target specific scientific objectives, but also contribute to the diversity of ESA’s program and provide invaluable training for the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The parallel design studies ensure that the spacecraft and its core technologies will be ready for implementation, pending approval by the Science Program Committee in mid-2026.

Building on a Legacy of Spacecraft Expertise

Redwire's Belgian operations bring over four decades of spacecraft platform development expertise to the table. As the prime contractor for ESA's PROBA-1, PROBA-2, and PROBA-V missions – totaling almost 50 years of combined successful spaceflight operations – their legacy speaks for itself. Redwire continues to support vital ESA projects including Skimsat, the International Berthing and Docking Mechanism for the Lunar Gateway, the Hera mission to the Didymos binary asteroid system, and the Proba-3 formation flying mission to study the sun's corona. Their involvement in ARRAKIHS adds another exciting chapter to their story of space exploration.