AE Industrial Partners Acquires Deep Space Systems

Redwire Acquires Deployable Space Systems (DSS)

February 23, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Redwire has acquired Deployable Space Systems (DSS), a Goleta, California-based developer of deployable solar arrays, structures and spacecraft mechanisms. The acquisition — Redwire's seventh since formation by AE Industrial Partners — expands Redwire's space infrastructure capabilities and adds DSS's patented ROSA and other deployable technologies to its product portfolio.

AE Industrial Partners Acquires Adcole Maryland Aerospace

March 2, 2020

Aerospace & Defense

AE Industrial Partners (AEI) has acquired Adcole Maryland Aerospace (AMA), a Marlborough, Massachusetts–based designer and manufacturer of mission-critical spacecraft components and small satellites, from Adcole Corporation/Artemis Capital Partners. The acquisition establishes AEI's space technology platform and aims to position AMA to capture growing demand from U.S. government and commercial space markets.

AE Industrial Partners Acquires Majority Stake in York Space Systems

October 4, 2022

Aerospace & Defense

AE Industrial Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in York Space Systems, a Denver-based manufacturer of small satellites and turnkey mission operations, with funds managed by BlackRock Private Equity Partners investing alongside. The deal provides York with institutional capital to scale production capacity and accelerate growth across government and commercial satellite markets; CEO Dirk Wallinger and Chairman Charles Beames will remain in leadership and retain significant ownership.

Redwire Acquires Oakman Aerospace

January 19, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Redwire, a PE-backed space infrastructure company formed by AE Industrial Partners, has acquired Oakman Aerospace, a Littleton, Colorado-based provider of digital engineering, spacecraft and satellite design, and mission payload services. The acquisition expands Redwire’s digital engineering and modular open-systems capabilities to support a broader range of space missions; terms were not disclosed.

Redwire Acquires QinetiQ Space NV; Bain Capital and AE Industrial Partners Provide $80M Financing

November 1, 2022

Aerospace & Defense

Redwire Corporation completed the acquisition of Belgium-based QinetiQ Space NV, expanding its small-satellite, payload and space-instrument capabilities and increasing its exposure to European customers. Concurrently, Bain Capital and AE Industrial Partners invested $80 million in Redwire through equity-linked securities to finance the acquisition and support Redwire's growth initiatives.

AE Industrial Partners Acquires Controlling Stake in L3Harris Space Propulsion & Power Business (Rocketdyne)

January 5, 2026

Aerospace & Defense

AE Industrial Partners has acquired a controlling majority stake (reported ~60%) in L3Harris Technologies’ Space Propulsion and Power Systems business, in a transaction reported at about $845 million. L3Harris will retain a minority interest and remain a strategic partner; AE Industrial plans to restore the Rocketdyne name, modernize manufacturing, and accelerate next‑generation propulsion and in‑space power capabilities.