Vivace International, a leader in mission-critical propulsion tanks and aerospace systems, announced that an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, a global alternative investment firm, has completed the full acquisition of the company.
Cerberus initially made a strategic growth investment in Vivace in 2024 and has since partnered with the Company to strengthen its engineering and manufacturing capabilities, expand its team with key hires, and secure new programs supporting U.S. defense and spaceflight customers. The additional investment is expected to position Vivace to scale production capacity, enhance advanced manufacturing capabilities, and support a growing portfolio of national security and space programs.
In connection with the transaction, Vivace also announced that retired U.S. Space Force Colonel and former NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins has joined the Company as a Senior Advisor. Hopkins previously served as Commander of SpaceX’s Crew 1 Resilience mission to the International Space Station and held senior leadership roles across Air Force and Space Force programs. In his new role, he will work closely with Vivace’s leadership team to support execution of existing programs and expand operations across the aerospace and defense sectors.
Hopkins most recently served as Space Force Director of Test and Evaluation at the Pentagon. During his career, he commanded Crew 1 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience, leading the first post certification flight of the spacecraft and completing a long duration mission aboard the International Space Station. Across two missions, he logged more than 330 days in space and conducted five spacewalks.
Before being selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009, Hopkins held senior military roles including Special Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Program Manager in the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office at the Pentagon. He began his career in 1992 as a U.S. Air Force officer working on advanced space system technologies and later graduated as a Distinguished Flight Test Engineer from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.
Hopkins has received numerous military honors, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, and four Air Force Achievement Medals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Stanford University.
Founded in 2006 and based in NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans, Louisiana, Vivace provides mission critical product development, engineering, and management services for U.S. spaceflight systems, hypersonics, and launch vehicle markets. Its offerings include flight hardware, ground support equipment, development hardware, tooling, and engineering services, supporting projects from concept development through detailed design, analysis, manufacture, and testing.
Founded in 1992, Cerberus manages approximately $70 billion in assets across complementary credit, real estate, and private equity strategies. The firm invests across the capital structure, leveraging integrated investment platforms and operating capabilities to drive long-term value creation.
KEY QUOTES:
“Vivace has established itself as a trusted partner on some of the nation’s most advanced aerospace and defense programs,” “We believe its engineering capabilities are increasingly critical to national security and space priorities. We’re deepening our commitment to the Company’s mission and see opportunities to scale production, accelerate innovation, and expand Vivace’s role in programs of national importance.”
Steve Cook, Chairman Of Vivace And Senior Managing Director At Cerberus
“Vivace has built a reputation for delivering mission-critical hardware with exceptional reliability and performance. Partnering with Cerberus brings more than capital, it adds deep operational resources and industry expertise to help scale the Company’s impact. I’m excited to work with this team to drive Vivace’s leading-edge capabilities and support a growing need of high-priority defense and spaceflight programs.”
Colonel (Ret.) Michael Hopkins, Senior Advisor At Vivace And Retired U.S. Space Force Colonel
