American aerospace manufacturer Redwire Corporation and Europe’s aerospace company The Exploration Company (TEC) have signed a contract to supply two docking systems for the Nyx spacecraft, with Redwire’s Polish branch participating in the project.
Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a global leader in space and defence technologies, and TEC, a European company developing reusable spacecraft, signed the agreement to provide the International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM) for Nyx.
Nyx is TEC’s flagship reusable spacecraft and will be capable of in-orbit refuelling. The IBDM, developed under a contract worth tens of millions of euros, will enable autonomous approach and docking manoeuvres.
“This agreement represents an important step in supporting the dynamically developing European space sector and leverages the potential we have begun building in the Polish branch of Redwire. IBDM (…) enables docking operations in the extreme environment of space and positions our system as a solution for missions that require flexibility, safety, and precision,” said Marcin Dobrowolski, CEO of Redwire Polska.
The IBDM system was developed in Belgium in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). It complies with the International Docking System Standard (IDSS) and supports both berthing and autonomous docking operations. Engineers from Redwire’s offices in Belgium and Poland are contributing to the system, which is also being used for the Lunar Gateway International Habitat, a manned space station to be placed near the Moon.
The first modules of the Lunar Gateway are scheduled to launch later this decade, with participation from the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
“With Nyx, our goal is to build the most affordable and sustainable vehicle for space cargo transit. Partnering with Redwire on the Nyx docking system strengthens that mission. Their expertise and collaborative mindset make them an ideal partner for The Exploration Company, as we together believe that the greatest achievements in space are built on trust and shared purpose,” said Najwa Naimy, Chief Program Officer at The Exploration Company.
The use of an IDSS-compliant mechanism supports TEC’s long-term strategy of ensuring compatibility with standardized docking systems as future commercial and institutional missions evolve.
Redwire Corporation, founded in 2020, is an American technology company in the space and defence sectors. Its 1,300 employees in Europe and the US develop space and aviation solutions using digital engineering and AI-powered automation.
The Exploration Company, founded in 2021, is a European developer of reusable spacecraft and modular systems for missions to low Earth orbit, lunar orbit, and the Moon. (PAP)
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