Set to launch in February 2026, the mission will highlight the flexibility of the Mega Class satellite bus in operating across various orbital environments. Key demonstrations will occur in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), with the latter emerging as a critical area of interest for programs like "Resilient GPS." K2 Space will be among the first commercial entities to showcase operational capabilities in MEO for both government and commercial customers.
This initiative benefits from backing by several Department of the Air Force organizations, including the Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power PEO, Space Development Agency, Space Warfighting Acquisition Delta, the DoD's Space Test Program, National Space Test and Training Complex, and the Air Force Research Lab.
"This mission is fortunate to enjoy support from various parts of the U.S. Space Force; these stakeholders all recognized that the K2 bus is unique in its ability to provide the capabilities needed for their future missions," said Karan Kunjur, CEO of K2 Space.
The Mega Class satellite bus offers enhanced capabilities, including a 3-meter by 3-meter payload deck and delivering 10 times more power than other comparable low-cost platforms. Designed for multi-orbit operations, the satellite can function effectively in LEO, MEO, Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO), and even Cislunar space, enabling next-generation hybrid space architectures. The bus's design also allows for the deployment of up to 10 satellites per launch vehicle, optimizing cost and scalability.
"As we looked at the market, we saw options for Proliferated LEO, but very few options for Proliferated MEO and GEO - the K2 bus is designed to fill this critical gap in our defense architecture," Kunjur added.
K2 Space maintains cost-efficiency by manufacturing 75% of satellite components in-house, including essential systems like reaction wheels, flight computers, and solar arrays. The company is also pioneering a 20kW electric propulsion system, four times more powerful than existing systems, to enable rapid orbit-raising and maneuvering, unlocking new possibilities for MEO, GEO, and Cislunar deployments.
The Gravitas mission aims to validate these capabilities by carrying multiple National Security payloads, thoroughly testing the platform, and demonstrating its functionality in LEO and MEO.
"We've had a number of people tell us that delivering the capabilities we're promising while maintaining the price point of $15M per satellite is impossible - with Gravitas we intend to turn these promises into proof points," Kunjur added.
Related Links
K2 Space
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com
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