Redwire’s Advanced Imaging and Navigation Technology Will Enable NASA’s Historic Artemis II Mission
Redwire’s Advanced Imaging and Navigation Technology Will Enable NASA’s Historic Artemis II Mission
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optical imagingtechnical
Optical imaging uses light—visible, infrared or near-infrared—to create pictures of tissues, cells or materials by detecting reflected, absorbed or emitted light with cameras or sensors. For investors, it matters because advances can make diagnosis, monitoring or quality inspection faster, cheaper and less invasive, potentially lowering healthcare costs, speeding product adoption or opening new markets, similar to how a better, cheaper camera can transform a consumer market.
sun sensortechnical
A sun sensor is a small instrument that detects the direction of the Sun so a satellite, spacecraft, or solar farm can point itself correctly—think of it like a weather vane that finds sunlight instead of wind. For investors, sun sensors matter because accurate sun-pointing affects power generation, communications and instrument performance; failures or upgrades can influence project costs, operational lifetime and the likelihood of meeting revenue or mission targets.
machine vision algorithmtechnical
A machine vision algorithm is software that lets cameras and sensors identify and interpret objects, patterns, or actions in images and video, turning pixels into meaningful information. For investors, it matters because these algorithms enable automation, quality control, safety systems, and new product features that can lower costs, open markets, or create competitive advantages—similar to giving a factory or product a pair of eyes and a basic understanding of what it sees.
4k videotechnical
4K video is a high-resolution video format with roughly four times the pixel count of standard high-definition, meaning images contain far more tiny picture elements and show finer detail and sharper motion—think of a photograph with four times as many dots. For investors, 4K capability signals a product or service positioned for premium markets, can justify higher prices or licensing fees, and affects production costs, content demand and competitive differentiation in consumer electronics, streaming and media businesses.
coarse sun sensortechnical
A coarse sun sensor is a simple spacecraft instrument that detects the Sun’s general direction, like a basic compass that tells you which way the Sun is rather than an exact angle. Investors care because it helps a satellite orient its solar panels and instruments reliably with low cost and risk; failures or poor performance can reduce power, shorten mission life, or increase operational expenses.
european service moduletechnical
A European service module is the spacecraft component that supplies a crewed vehicle with propulsion, electrical power, thermal control and consumables like oxygen and water—think of it as the ship’s engine room and utility systems combined. It matters to investors because building and maintaining these high-tech modules involves long-term government contracts, specialized suppliers and export rules, so progress, delays or cost changes can affect revenues and risk for aerospace contractors and suppliers.
solar array drive electronicstechnical
Solar array drive electronics are the control units that move, orient and manage the electrical output of solar panels on vehicles like satellites or on ground-mounted trackers, combining the mechanics of aiming with the electronics of power routing and optimization. For investors, these systems determine how reliably and efficiently a solar array produces power over time—affecting operational uptime, payload capability and long-term revenue or cost savings—much like a smart steering-and-power manager for a car’s roof-mounted solar panels.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a global leader in space and defense technology solutions, today announced that its advanced optical imaging and sun sensor technology will launch on board the Orion spacecraft as part of NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission for the Artemis program. Through contracts with Lockheed Martin, NASA’s prime contractor for Orion, Redwire is responsible for the production and testing of the Orion Camera System for Artemis missions I-V.
“You may have heard the phrase, ‘the camera is the mission,’ which certainly still resonates today. I am so proud that Redwire is providing its trusted and flight-proven imaging and navigation technology for Artemis II, which will play a vital role in this historic endeavor,” said Mike Gold, President of Redwire Space. “We can’t all be astronauts, but through the amazing imagery that our cameras will capture, the whole world can be a part of the extraordinary journey of discovery that is Artemis II.”
The camera system for Artemis II comprises 11 internal and external inspection and navigation cameras, including wireless cameras positioned on each of Orion’s four solar arrays to allow in-flight inspection of the entire spacecraft. The system’s Optical Navigation Camera provides high resolution imagery to the spacecraft's machine vision algorithm to determine Orion’s position and velocity relative to Earth. Other cameras will record 4k video and 12MP images and livestream both the inside and outside of the vehicle, including key mission events such as separation, jettison, deployment, and crew demonstrations. The Redwire cameras on board Artemis I successfully captured imagery and video, including livestream views from the solar array wing cameras that were made available to the public throughout the mission.
Redwire is also providing four redundant Coarse Sun Sensor (CSS) assemblies for Orion’s European Service Module (ESM) through a contract with Airbus. The CSS are part of Orion’s solar power generation system and will provide important data to the Solar Array Drive Electronics to adjust the ESM’s solar panels. The CSS were part of and performed successfully on Artemis I.
About Redwire
Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is an integrated space and defense tech company focused on advanced technologies. We are building the future of aerospace infrastructure, autonomous systems, and multi-domain operations leveraging digital engineering and AI automation. Redwire’s approximately 1,400 employees located throughout North America and Europe are committed to delivering innovative space and airborne platforms transforming the future of multi-domain operations. For more information, please visit RDW.com.
