The K2 Space factory. Photo: K2 Space

K2 Space won a U.S. Space Force contract to build its first ‘Mega’-class satellite for a planned launch to Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO). The mission, set for February 2026, is called “Gravitas.” 

The contract has a total value of $60 million and includes government funds, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) matching funds, and private funds, K2 Space announced on Dec. 19. Multiple entities within the Department of the Air Force are supporting the mission. 

K2 Space is a satellite manufacturing startup focused on building larger, more capable satellites at a lower price point. The Gravitas mission is intended to de-risk the company’s platform and validate on-orbit performance in both Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) and MEO.

The Gravitas mission will have commercial and government customers, including national security payloads. It will demonstrate extended operations in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), orbit-raising to MEO, and extended MEO operations.  

“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. 

“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,” he added.