The importance of VLEO is increasing, particularly for national security missions. Spacecraft in VLEO operate in an environment that is less congested than low-Earth (LEO) and geosynchronous (GEO) orbits. VLEO spacecraft fly above anti-access areas while operating closer to the ground than current satellites. Additionally, debris in VLEO deorbits in hours or days, unlike LEO and GEO, where debris can take decades or longer to clear.

"We are proud to be leveraging our SabreSat satellite design to support critical VLEO technology advancements for DARPA's game-changing Otter program," said Spence Wise, Redwire Senior Vice President, Missions and Platforms. "As VLEO emerges as a critical domain for national security missions, Redwire is continuing to make investments to support technology innovation and strategic operations in this environment."

As the prime contractor for DARPA's Otter program, Redwire will build the SabreSat bus, advance necessary technologies, and lead the project team. To support the mission, Redwire is using digital engineering tools configured for VLEO, including Redwire's Digitally Engineered Mission Systems and Integration (DEMSI) platform, which models atmospheric drag and material degradation caused by atomic oxygen.

Redwire's SabreSat "orbital drone" is modular and can support various mission applications, including high-resolution intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); communications; navigation; and Earth science. SabreSat is designed for performance, endurance, and cost-effectiveness to enhance the market for VLEO capabilities.

Redwire's European office is also studying the use of VLEO for the European Space Agency's Skimsat program with Thales Alenia Space UK to improve Earth observation capabilities and reduce costs.

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