Redwire and ispace U.S. have announced the start of their collaboration on lunar missions. At the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs on April 8, they signed a memorandum to jointly participate in future flights, including NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. This partnership targets the growing interest in the Moon from businesses and governments seeking to develop infrastructure there.
Redwire Corporation, a U.S. aerospace equipment and space infrastructure technology manufacturer, and ispace U.S., the American division of a Japanese company specializing in lunar landing modules, will combine their strengths. For example, ispace U.S. is developing the APEX 1.0 lander, which will deliver payloads to the far side of the Moon in 2026 for NASA’s CLPS mission. Meanwhile, Redwire will contribute its cameras, mechanisms, and assembly expertise. Both companies are based in Colorado, simplifying their collaboration.
CLPS is a NASA initiative that allows private companies to deliver scientific payloads to the Moon, supporting the creation of a lunar economy. Redwire is already among the 14 contractors in the program with a budget of up to $2.6 billion until 2028. The partners also plan to expand beyond NASA, offering services to other clients, such as mining lunar resources like rare earth elements.
