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Gravitas [K2 Space]
Gravitas is a technology demonstration satellite developed and operated by K2 Space, United States. The spacecraft is intended to validate the companys Gravitas flat-bed satellite bus design and demonstrate high-power satellite capabilities in orbit.
The mission of Gravitas is focused on in-space verification of a large, high-power satellite platform. It will test the integration and operation of multiple payloads, including 12 undisclosed modules from various customers such as the United States Department of Defense. The mission also aims to demonstrate high ?????????? power availability for demanding applications such as advanced sensors, communications systems, and onboard computing.
Gravitas is manufactured by K2 Space using a vertically integrated approach emphasizing scalability and simplified production. The satellite is based on the companys flat-bed architecture, which departs from traditional compact satellite designs by using a wide, planar structure. This enables significantly larger solar arrays and higher power generation, supporting more energy-intensive payloads than typical small or medium-class satellites.
Gravitas has a mass of approximately 2,000 kilograms and features a wingspan of about 40 meters when its solar arrays are fully deployed. The satellite is capable of generating up to 20 kilowatts of electrical power, a key objective of the demonstration. It also carries a 20 kW-class electric thruster, expected to be among the most powerful ever operated in space, alongside high-capacity power distribution, thermal management systems, and advanced avionics suited to a large, flat structural form.
Gravitas was launched aboard a Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) rocket in late March 2026. The mission will flew on th Transporter-16 ride-share mission.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology |
| Operator: | K2 Space |
| Contractors: | K2 Space |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | Gravitas bus |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | Solar arrays, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | ~2000 kg |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravitas | 2026-067CH | 30.03.2026 | Va SLC-4E | Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) | with Gravitas, FGN-100 d3, HotSat 2, W-Series 6, Vindlér 2.0.1, ..., 2.0.3, Capella 20, ICEYE X71, ..., X76, IRIDE-MS1-EAGLET2 9, ..., 16, ŅuSat 53, 54, Hawk 14A, 14B, 14C, Garai B, SERT 3, Mimir 1, ION-SCV 019, Lusíada 1, ..., 4, Vigoride 7, InspectorSat 1, R5 S10, SpaceVan 002, AEPEX, MARS 1A, 1B, Out Of The Box, Vireon 1, 2, SPOQC, BRO 19, Black Kite 2, ERMIS 3, Flylab 1, T.MicroSat 2, TORO 3, AE1a, AISSat 4, COSMO, Deloitte 2, 3, ERMIS 1, 2, Flylab 2, GEMS2-Amethyst, GENIEedge Atlas, Harbinger, Lilium 4, OptiSat, PARUS 6U1, Sharjah-Sat 2, Io 1, DISCO 2, FossaSat 2E25, Ghostrider, JACK 002, PeakSat, SAL-E, AiglonSat 1, Emisar, TechEdSat 23, Dream Big 1, ..., 6, Unicorn 2R, 2S, SpinnyONE, Decimal-Sat 1, VegaFly 1, FEMTO 1, HelloWorld 1, Lemur-2 247, ..., 253, LUNA 2, PHOBOS, SM 1.2 ?, TROOP F3 |
Launch Sites:
- Va = Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
