Deep Space Systems
Corporate brand
UnclaimedDeep Space Systems was a U.S. aerospace engineering company specializing in spacecraft systems, deep-space mission support, and space-qualified imaging technologies.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Deep Space Systems, Inc. (DSS) was a privately held aerospace engineering company based in Littleton, Colorado. The company was established in 2001 and focused on the technical work required to design, develop, integrate, test, and operate science and exploration spacecraft. Rather than operating primarily as a mass-market space brand, DSS functioned as a specialized engineering and mission-support contractor serving government and commercial space programs. Its capabilities covered spacecraft systems engineering, spacecraft design and development, systems integration, verification and testing, deep-space mission operations, and the development of high-definition cameras designed for use in space. These activities placed the company in the portion of the aerospace industry that connects mission objectives with flight-ready spacecraft hardware and software. The company’s work addressed the full engineering lifecycle, from early concept development through integration, test, and operational support. DSS became associated with Lockheed Martin’s work on NASA’s Orion spacecraft. In 2006, Lockheed Martin won the Orion contract with Deep Space Systems participating as a collaborator. DSS subsequently supported Orion’s avionics system, and NASA’s Johnson Space Center recognized the company in 2009 as its Small Business Subcontractor of the Year. The Orion relationship provided DSS with a significant connection to a major human-spaceflight program while also demonstrating the company’s role as a specialist subcontractor rather than a prime spacecraft manufacturer. The company also sought to diversify beyond its work supporting large spacecraft programs. One area of diversification was the development of satellite-ready, high-definition space cameras. These imaging products complemented DSS’s systems-engineering services and addressed the need for compact, flight-qualified instruments capable of supporting scientific observation, exploration, and spacecraft operations. In November 2018, NASA selected Deep Space Systems for participation in the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. The selection made DSS eligible to compete for lunar payload-delivery work under a NASA program with a stated potential value of $2.6 billion over ten years. NASA described DSS as a potential main contractor within the program, allowing it to propose missions and subcontract portions of work to other companies. DSS indicated that it intended to propose a small commercial lunar rover to carry scientific payloads and was also developing a lander concept oriented toward scouting lunar resources near the south polar region. Deep Space Systems ceased operating as an independent company after AE Industrial Partners acquired it in June 2020. AE Industrial Partners combined DSS with Adcole Corp. to create Redwire. As a result, DSS’s independent corporate identity became part of the Redwire organization. The company’s historical significance rests on its combination of spacecraft systems engineering, Orion-related avionics support, deep-space mission operations, space-qualified imaging, and participation in the emerging commercial lunar-services market.
History
Deep Space Systems was incorporated in 2001 in Colorado as a specialized aerospace engineering company. Its business centered on the technical disciplines needed to create and operate spacecraft for science and exploration missions. These disciplines included systems engineering, spacecraft architecture and design, development, integration, verification, testing, and mission operations for deep-space projects. The company also developed high-definition cameras intended to meet the demanding requirements of spaceflight. A major stage in the company’s development came through its relationship with Lockheed Martin and NASA’s Orion program. Lockheed Martin won the Orion spacecraft contract in 2006 with Deep Space Systems participating as a collaborator. DSS supported the spacecraft’s avionics system, work that contributed to its recognition by NASA’s Johnson Space Center as Small Business Subcontractor of the Year in 2009. The Orion work established DSS as a small but technically significant participant in a major human-spaceflight program. Although Orion-related engineering was important to its profile, DSS did not remain focused on a single program. The company diversified into space-qualified imaging, developing satellite-ready high-definition cameras. This expansion allowed it to offer both engineering services and specialized flight hardware, while retaining a focus on science, exploration, and spacecraft operations. NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative created another opportunity for the company. On November 29, 2018, Deep Space Systems was included in the CLPS program, making it eligible to bid for lunar payload-delivery assignments. NASA identified the program as having a potential value of $2.6 billion over a ten-year period. DSS was described as a potential main contractor and could subcontract work to other firms. The company discussed proposing a small commercial lunar rover for science payloads and developing a lander concept aimed at scouting resources in the lunar south-polar region. The company’s independent history ended in June 2020, when AE Industrial Partners acquired Deep Space Systems. AE Industrial Partners combined DSS with Adcole Corp. to form Redwire. Following that transaction, Deep Space Systems was no longer an independent aerospace company, although its capabilities and personnel became part of the newly formed Redwire organization.
- 2020
Combination into Redwire
[1]AE Industrial Partners acquired DSS and combined it with Adcole Corp. to form Redwire.
- 2018
Added to Commercial Lunar Payload Services
[1]NASA included DSS in the CLPS program, allowing it to compete for lunar payload-delivery contracts and propose rover or lander concepts.
- 2009
NASA Johnson Space Center subcontractor recognition
[1]NASA’s Johnson Space Center named Deep Space Systems its Small Business Subcontractor of the Year for work on Orion’s avionics system.
- 2006
Participation in the Orion spacecraft program
[1]Lockheed Martin won the Orion spacecraft contract with Deep Space Systems participating as a collaborator.
- 2001
Deep Space Systems incorporated
[1]Deep Space Systems, Inc. was established as a private aerospace engineering company in Colorado.
Products and positioning
A specialist aerospace systems-engineering and mission-support contractor serving science, exploration, and commercial lunar programs.
Aerospace engineering services · 2001
Spacecraft systems engineering services
DSS provided systems engineering for science and exploration spacecraft, covering mission-level technical requirements, spacecraft architecture, design support, development, integration, verification, and testing. The service offering was intended to connect mission goals with flight-ready spacecraft systems and operational plans.
Space imaging hardware
Space-qualified high-definition cameras
The company developed high-definition cameras designed for satellite and spacecraft use. These cameras represented a diversification beyond contract engineering and were intended for imaging applications in science, exploration, and spacecraft operations.
Lunar exploration system · 2019
Lunar rover concept
Within NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services framework, DSS discussed proposing a small commercial lunar rover capable of carrying scientific payloads. The rover was described as a proposed concept rather than a confirmed operational product.
Lunar exploration system
Lunar south-polar lander concept
DSS worked on a lander concept focused on scouting lunar resources near the south polar region. Available reference material does not establish that the concept reached flight or commercial deployment.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Commercial Lunar Payload Services participation
United States · Lunar exploration
DSS entered NASA’s CLPS contracting pool and positioned itself to compete for lunar delivery missions, including possible rover, lander, and science-payload work.
Outcome. The selection made DSS eligible to bid, but the available material does not identify a resulting awarded lunar delivery mission.
Brand decisions
2020
Combination with Adcole to form RedwireM&ABackground
AE Industrial Partners acquired Deep Space Systems after the company had built capabilities in spacecraft engineering, Orion avionics support, imaging, and commercial lunar services.
Action taken
AE Industrial Partners combined DSS with Adcole Corp. to create Redwire.
Aftermath
Deep Space Systems ceased to operate as an independent company and its activities became part of Redwire.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
AE Industrial acquires Deep Space Systems[2]
AE Industrial acquired Deep Space Systems, a developer of mission-critical payloads and components.
Reported
AEI plans to combine Deep Space Systems with Adcole Space as Redwire[2]
Following its acquisition of Deep Space Systems, AEI said it would merge the business with Adcole Space to create a space technology platform named Redwire.
Reported
AE Industrial Partners acquired Deep Space Systems[3]
AE Industrial Partners announced that it had acquired Deep Space Systems and would combine it with Adcole Space to form Redwire, a space technology platform.
Sources3 sources
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