Paragon and Redwire Collaborate to Deliver Integrated Life Support Systems for Commercial and Lunar Space Stations
MOU pairs the companies’ air and water recovery technologies to create a single, closed-loop environmental control and life support (ECLSS) system for orbital and lunar habitats
TUCSON, Ariz. and JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Nov. 12, 2026 — Paragon Space Development Corporation and Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) today announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop and market environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) for commercial space stations, government missions, and lunar habitats.
Under the MOU, the two companies will combine technologies that span the full life support loop: the systems that recycle water, manage human waste, and keep cabin air breathable. They plan to offer these as a single, integrated package to NASA, international space agencies, and commercial station operators for both low Earth orbit and the lunar surface.
The MOU targets a growing need in the market. As the International Space Station approaches retirement around 2030, every commercial station and crewed lunar program now in development will need regenerative life support that can run for years with minimal resupply from Earth. Recovering nearly all of a crew’s water and keeping the cabin atmosphere stable and breathable is one of the hardest systems to close reliably, and one of the last to be solved at commercial scale – until now.
Under the MOU, Redwire will lead solid waste and urine capture and management, electrochemical stabilization of urine, potable water quality monitoring, and biological (bioprocessing) water treatment.
Paragon will lead urine and wastewater processing and water recovery; air revitalization (carbon dioxide removal, oxygen generation, and trace-contaminant control); and temperature and humidity control, fire suppression, cabin pressure control, and air quality monitoring. Together, the two systems are designed to close the full water and air loop.
“Paragon’s hardware is already recycling air and water on the ISS and Starliner, and our life support has flown on every U.S. human spaceflight program since 1999,” said Mark Greeley, President and CEO of Paragon. “What customers haven’t been able to buy is the whole loop from one team. Now they can. We handle air and water, Redwire handles waste and bioprocessing, and the customer gets an integrated system instead of a systems-integration problem. It’s the least glamorous system on the station and the one you absolutely cannot fly without.”
“The commercial stations and lunar programs coming online this decade all need regenerative life support, and most don’t have a proven source for it yet,” said Mike Gold, President of Redwire Space. “Pairing our two companies gives operators a lower-risk option than building it themselves.”
The companies intend to jointly pursue opportunities with NASA, the European Space Agency, and commercial space operators across both low Earth orbit and lunar missions and will evaluate a range of commercial arrangements including traditional build-to-sell contracts and build-to-lease models spanning development, manufacturing, flight qualification, and long-term mission support. Specific programs and terms would be defined under separate, definitive agreements.
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About Paragon Space Development Corporation
Paragon Space Development Corporation designs and builds environmental control and life support and thermal systems for human spaceflight and other extreme environments. Its flight-proven hardware includes air and water recovery systems on the International Space Station and humidity control on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, and Paragon has had hardware on every U.S. human spaceflight program of record since 1999. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with offices in Houston and Lakewood, Colorado, Paragon supports NASA, commercial space station developers, and defense customers. Our work is at the heart of every mission. Learn more at ParagonSDC.com.
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.
Media Contacts
Paragon Space Development Corporation
Lauren Quesada, Griffin Communications Group | lauren@griffincg.com
Redwire Corporation
Tere Riley | tere.riley@rdw.com | Investor Relations: investorrelations@redwirespace.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future development, joint pursuit of opportunities, market demand, and the anticipated benefits of the partnership are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including that the memorandum of understanding is non-binding and may not result in definitive agreements or awards. Actual results could differ materially. Redwire undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.