Redwire Corp. (NYSE: RDW) has announced a contract with Astrobiome Space S.à r.l. to cultivate strawberries aboard the International Space Station using its greenhouse system.
The agreement marks the first deployment of Redwire’s greenhouse platform in orbit, making it the world’s first commercial space greenhouse.
The mission will use Astrobiome Space’s biostimulant technology to grow wild strawberries in orbit, with the goal of producing crops comparable in quality to Earth-grown produce.
This represents a significant milestone for the commercial space agriculture sector, as food cultivation technology becomes increasingly critical to long-duration spaceflight planning.
Marc Dielissen, Executive Vice President of Redwire Europe, commented directly on the broader significance of the platform’s capabilities for both space and terrestrial applications.
“With our Greenhouse platform, we are not only enabling fundamental research, but we are also demonstrating the practical cultivation of fresh food in space — including crops such as strawberries and fungi,” said Dielissen.
He added: “These capabilities are essential as we prepare for long-duration missions and future habitats, while also generating valuable insights to improve agricultural practices here on Earth.”
Redwire’s greenhouse system incorporates flight-qualified plant growth technology, including the Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System devices developed in partnership with Tupperware Brands.
Those devices are currently operated by Redwire aboard the ISS, positioning the company as an established player in orbital agricultural infrastructure.
The company stated that its greenhouse platform also supports long-term NASA exploration plans, aligning its commercial ambitions with broader national space agency objectives.
Growing fresh food in space has long been considered one of the most pressing logistical challenges for missions beyond low Earth orbit, including planned lunar and Mars expeditions.
The use of biostimulants to enhance crop quality in microgravity conditions represents a novel approach that could accelerate the development of viable space-based food systems.
