Zeus
Modular Payload Adapter
Overview
About Zeus
Zeus is modular payload adapter built in the United States using traditional machining and manufacturing methods. It is designed for multi-manifest, rideshare, and constellation programs and can be adapted to any spacecraft sizes, interfaces or quantities. Using bolted together aluminum plates, Zeus is lower cost than a composite solution, shorter schedule than a forged solution, and is mass and stiffness optimized.
Zeus
Product Features
Mechanical ground support equipment available
Redwire can provide break-over carts, integration stands, lifting fixtures, and more to assist with spacecraft and launch vehicle integration operations.
Complete constellation dispenser system
Redwire's payload adapting structures can be bundled with spacecraft separation systems and any cabling and harnessing to provide a complete constellation dispenser system.
In-house testing capability
Full qualification and acceptance testing for Zeus completed in-house by Redwire.
Product Specifications
| SIZE (STOWED): | 1575 mm interface to PAF |
| LAYOUT OPTIONS |
Option 1: Four (QTY-4) 24 inch circular ports
Option 2: Six (QTY-6) 15 inch circular ports Option 3: Four (QTY-4) 4-point mount interfaces Option 4: Combine any of these options |
| TOTAL SPACECRAFT MASS | Supports up to 1500 kg space vehicles depending on the manifest |
| MISSION APPLICATIONS:: |
Satellite constellation programs
Rideshare programs Multi-manifest programs |
Customer Success Story
Spaceflight SSO-A
The SSO-A: SmallSat Express rideshare launch was a Spaceflight mission launched aboard a Falcon 9 in December 2018. SSO-A was the largest single rideshare mission from a US-based launch vehicle at that time.
The launch used multiple custom Redwire payload adapters to accommodate 15 microsats and 49 CubeSats. Interfacing multiple spacecraft with different interfaces, access for payload integration, and wire harness routing were technical challenges for Spaceflight and were successfully integrated into the payload adapter designs.
The Redwire effort included design, analysis, full qualification testing, as well as range-certified ground handling and integration hardware necessary for the mission.
Customer Success Story
Firefly Victus Nox
Firefly’s VICTUS NOX mission launched in September 2023 for the U.S. Space Force. The mission was a landmark demonstration of Tactically Responsive (TacRS) capability, showcasing the ability to rapidly respond to urgent on-orbit needs.
Firefly set a new TacRS space record by launching a Millennium Space Systems satellite onboard Firefly’s Alpha Launch Vehicle with only a 24-hour notice.
Redwire met the following technical challenges for Firefly, and delivered within the customer timeframe:
- Adapted structure from 38” Alpha LV interface to the 15” Millennium Space SC interface
- Analysis
- Femap, Nastran, Thermal Desktop
- Design optimization and qualification by analysis
- Flight fastener analysis
Customer Success Story
Momentus Vigoride
Redwire supported Momentus in the development of flight hardware and integration systems to support of a May 2022 Vigoride launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9.
Redwire met the following technical challenges for Firefly, and delivered within the customer timeframe:
- Mission specific and COTS designs
- Flight hardware and integration systems
- Breakover carts, shipping container,
lifting fixtures, vehicle-level cables and harnessing
- Breakover carts, shipping container,
- Analysis
- Femap, Nastran, Thermal Desktop
- Design optimization
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