EBAD PRM Payload Release Module Family Demonstrates Scalable, Low-Shock Separation Capability on Falcon 9 Twilight Rideshare Mission

SIMSBURY, Conn., January 26, 2026 – Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Company (EBAD) announced the successful flight and actuation of its Payload Release Module, PRM9103, during SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Twilight rideshare mission on Jan. 11. The mission further validates EBAD’s PRM family of low-shock, precision separation systems, which build on the company’s long-standing NEA ultra-low shock release mechanism heritage.

The PRM9103 supported the deployment of ten satellites for Kepler Communications’ next-generation optical constellation, dispensing the spacecraft from the launch vehicle’s upper stage with precise timing and controlled separation velocity. The successful operation adds to the growing flight heritage of the PRM architecture across commercial and government missions.

EBAD’s PRM family includes the PRM9103, PRM9104, and PRM9106, providing a scalable separation solution for spacecraft ranging from approximately 150 kilograms to more than 2,000 kilograms. The common architecture enables spacecraft manufacturers and mission planners to address evolving payload mass and constellation requirements while maintaining consistent performance, redundancy, and reliability across configurations.

The PRM architecture is derived from EBAD’s flight-proven NEA ultra-low shock release mechanism, which has accumulated decades of heritage on critical space missions. This lineage allows PRM systems to meet the stringent environmental, reliability, and compatibility requirements imposed by current and future launch vehicles, positioning EBAD as one of the few suppliers aligned with industry benchmarks for low-shock, redundant separation systems.

For the Kepler mission, the Falcon 9 launch deployed ten 300-kilogram class satellites, each equipped with multiple optical terminals. Kepler’s constellation is designed to provide real-time connectivity, on-orbit computing, and hosted payload services for government and commercial customers by dynamically routing data between satellites to create resilient links between space and Earth.

EBAD continues to expand its PRM product line to support increasing payload mass, constellation scale, and responsive launch needs. Adding to the PRM9103 and PRM9104 flight heritage, the PRM9106 is scheduled to fly later this year, extending PRM capability to higher-mass spacecraft and reinforcing EBAD’s commitment to mission-ready separation hardware.

EBAD’s family of PRM dispensing mechanisms has been selected for some of the world’s largest commercial and military constellations based on its reliability, simplicity, and proven performance. As demand for responsive launch and in-space mobility accelerates, EBAD remains focused on delivering flight-proven systems that spacecraft manufacturers and mission planners can trust.

For more information on EBAD’s Payload Release Modules, visit www.ebad.com