A roll-out solar array (ROSA) is a solar array wing developed by Redwire Corporation. On October 5, 2026, Axiom Space awarded Redwire a follow-on contract for two ROSA wings for the second module of Axiom Station.
The agreement adds to the wings already ordered for the station’s first module. Together, the two modules will form a four-crew-capable station intended as a successor to the International Space Station.
What the Roll-Out Solar Array Is and What Axiom Ordered
A roll-out solar array (ROSA) is a roll-out solar wing developed and built by Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW). On October 5, 2026, Axiom Space awarded Redwire a follow-on contract to develop and deliver two ROSA wings for the second module of Axiom Station. This new award builds on a previous contract from September 25, 2025, where Axiom Space selected Redwire to build and deliver ROSA wings for the Payload Power Thermal Module (AxPPTM), the first module of the platform.
Axiom Space describes Axiom Station as a permanent commercial platform in low Earth orbit designed to serve as the successor to the International Space Station (ISS). Redwire has delivered or is developing more than 65 solar array wings.
Mike Gold, President of Redwire Space, stated: “We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to provide Axiom Space with additional ROSAs.” Dr. Jonathan Cirtain, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of Axiom Space, called the arrays “a crucial component necessary for Axiom Space to build a sustainable commercial presence in LEO”.
Redwire is listed on the NYSE as RDW; our Redwire stock guide covers how to research it.
Where ROSA Has Flown
One deployment of the technology is the ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA) program. Boeing, NASA’s prime contractor for ISS operations, awarded Redwire a follow-on contract for two additional iROSA wings, bringing the total to eight, according to Redwire’s June 2023 release. Redwire developed the hardware with Boeing’s Spectrolab. Six of the Redwire-built arrays were developed, delivered, and deployed on the ISS since 2021. Each iROSA wing provides 20-plus kilowatts (kW) of power once deployed, with all eight wings combined generating more than 160 kW for over 10 years.
NASA’s launch release for SpaceX’s 35th resupply mission, which lifted off on 13 October 2026, says Dragon is carrying the final pair of ISS Roll-Out Solar Arrays. NASA says they complete the augmentation of the station’s power system, and astronauts will install them during spacewalks planned for later this fall; no spacewalk dates were published. See SpaceX CRS-35 Explained for the mission details and NASA’s release for the source.
Beyond the International Space Station, the sources tie ROSA to these missions and programs, two of them still in development:
- Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART): ROSA technology powered NASA’s DART spacecraft, which impacted the asteroid Dimorphos in September 2022.
- Ovzon 3: Redwire roll-out solar arrays successfully deployed on the first commercial geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite for Maxar’s Ovzon 3 mission, announced in January 2024.
- Gateway Power and Propulsion Element (PPE): Redwire is building ROSA wings for NASA’s Gateway Power and Propulsion Element, part of the Artemis program.
- Astrobotic Lunar Vertical Solar Array: Redwire is building ROSA for Astrobotic’s Lunar Vertical Solar Array program.
The 20-plus kilowatt rating belongs to the ISS iROSA wings, and the Axiom Station announcement published no per-wing figure, so that number should not be read across to Axiom’s wings. For the wider field, see space technology.
Axiom Station Schedule
The October 2026 announcement detailed the manufacturing roadmap and launch schedule for the first two Axiom Station elements.
The first station module is in final assembly at Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy. From Turin, the module will move to Houston for integration and testing. Following integration, the module will be transported to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for launch. Axiom Space plans to launch this first module in 2028.
The second module is preparing for final assembly at Thales Alenia Space. Axiom plans to launch the second module less than a year after the first. Once in orbit, the second module will loiter until it is ready to dock with the first module.
Joined together in orbit, the two modules will form a four-crew-capable, operational, free-flying commercial space station. Axiom Station is a planned commercial space station in low Earth orbit.
What the Release Does Not Say
While the October 5, 2026 press release announced the follow-on order, several technical and financial details remain unpublished.
Redwire Corporation and Axiom Space did not disclose the financial value of the contract. The announcement also omitted the exact power generation metrics per wing for Axiom Station. The release describes the hardware as providing “robust power” without publishing kilowatt ratings, dimensions, or mass.
To confirm what the release states, read Redwire’s October 5, 2026 release.