Redwire
American aerospace firm formed in 2020 via merger and acquisitions.
Redwire Corporation is an American aerospace manufacturer and space infrastructure technology company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Formed on June 1, 2020, by the private equity firm AE Industrial Partners through the combination of its portfolio companies Adcole Space and Deep Space Systems, Redwire rapidly expanded through a series of acquisitions, adding capabilities in 3D printing, solar arrays, deployable structures, and defense drones. The company went public in January 2021 via a merger with a SPAC, and its subsidiaries operate across multiple U.S. states.
- founded
- June 1, 2020
- headquarters
- Jacksonville, Florida
- field
- Aerospace manufacturing and space infrastructure technology
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Acquisition-led growth; 3D printing in microgravity; Roll Out Solar Array (ROSA) capabilities; defense drone manufacturing
Lore & Background
On March 25, 2021, Redwire announced its intention to go public through a merger with the SPAC Genesis Park Acquisition Corp., valuing the company at US$615 million. On January 22, 2025, Redwire announced the acquisition of Edge Autonomy, a drone manufacturer specializing in defense capabilities, marking a shift toward defense markets. In August of that year, the partnership resulted in a prototype for a long-range reconnaissance drone for the U.S. Army. Redwire and its subsidiaries operate in Florida, Colorado, California, Alabama, Massachusetts, Indiana, and New Mexico, and in October 2022 it acquired Belgium-based QinetiQ Space NV.
Reader's Guide
Redwire represents a modern model of rapid aerospace consolidation, built through a series of targeted acquisitions that assembled a broad portfolio of space technologies—from sun sensors and deep-space cameras to 3D printers and deployable solar arrays. Its formation by a private equity firm and public listing via SPAC reflect financial trends in the space industry. The company's subsidiaries, such as Deep Space Systems, serve as main contractors for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, while Deployable Space Systems contributes ROSA technology. The 2025 acquisition of Edge Autonomy signals a strategic pivot toward defense, aligning satellite capabilities with drone warfare. Redwire's legacy lies in its ability to integrate diverse space and defense capabilities under one corporate umbrella, though its short history means its long-term impact remains to be seen.
Did You Know?
- Redwire was formed on June 1, 2020, by the private equity firm AE Industrial Partners through the merger of Adcole Space and Deep Space Systems.
- Redwire acquired Made In Space, Inc. on June 24, 2020, adding 3D printing for microgravity to its portfolio.
- On January 22, 2025, Redwire announced the acquisition of Edge Autonomy, a drone manufacturer, shifting focus toward defense markets.
- Redwire went public in January 2021 through a merger with the SPAC Genesis Park Acquisition Corp., valued at US$615 million.
More in Human spaceflight programs 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record