Mega Class Satellite Bus by K2 Space: status and timeline

Milestones

Next · SES meoSphere constellation deployment

K2 Space founded2022Complete.
Mega platform design completed2024Complete.
Gravitas launches from Cape Canaveral30 Mar 2026Complete.
Gravitas LEO-to-MEO orbit raise successful2026Complete.
SES meoSphere constellation deploymentTarget 2030Not yet reached.

Most important updates

K2 Space launches Gravitas, its first Mega Class satellite30 Mar 2026
K2 Space's Gravitas satellite demonstrates LEO-to-MEO orbit raise using onboard thruster2026

Upcoming

2027Giga Class first flight (next)
2029SES meoSphere constellation launches
2030SES meoSphere constellation deployment

Current obstacles

Scaling productionMoving from prototype to 100 satellites/year while maintaining reliability is a key challenge.
Thermal management20 kW platforms dissipate far more heat than constellation satellites. Radiator design must handle sustained operation.

Physics limits

Solar cell efficiency ceilingMulti-junction cells reach ~32% efficiency in space. Further gains require larger arrays, not better cells.
Propellant mass tradeoffElectric propulsion is efficient but slow. Orbit climb requires 30-50% propellant by mass.
Launch vehicle compatibilityMega optimized for Falcon 9 and Starship. Other rockets require redesign of stacking and deployment.

How it works

3 parts

Power System

Twin 10 kW solar arrays

Large deployable arrays generate 20 kW, far more than constellation satellites, enabling energy-intensive payloads.

Propulsion

20 kW Hall-effect thruster

World's most powerful Hall thruster; climbs from LEO to MEO in under 90 days, enabling multi-orbit missions.

Manufacturing

Vertical integration

K2 builds core subsystems in Torrance, controlling supply chain, cost, and reliability.

Spec sheet

Spec	Mega Class Satellite Bus
Power generation	20 kW^R (reported)
Payload capacity	1,000 kg^R (reported)
Solar panel span	40 m^R (reported)
Gravitas spacecraft mass	2 metric tons^R (reported)
Satellites per Falcon 9	10^R (reported)
Satellites per Starship	~50^E (estimated)

^R reported by the company · ^E our estimate

Update log

2 updates

Mon 30 Mar

Major: K2 Space launches Gravitas, its first Mega Class satellitePressHardware

2026

Major: K2 Space's Gravitas satellite demonstrates LEO-to-MEO orbit raise using onboard thrusterPressTest

About K2 Space

The team behind Mega Class Satellite Bus

K2 Space

Mega and Giga satellite buses, high power platforms

K2 Space designs large satellite buses for Starship-era launch economics. Mega Class has 20 kW power and 1,000 kg payload; Giga carries 15 tons. 80% manufactured in-house.

$500M Series D at $6.8B valuation, July 2026; backed by Kleiner Perkins, ICONIQ.
$1B+ in signed contracts including $60M Space Force STRATFI mission.
Factory sized for 100 high-power satellites annually.

k2space.com (opens k2space.com)Company profile →

Founded: 20224 yrs
Headquarters: United States
Status: Private
Valuation: $6.8BprivateJul 2026
Raised: $860M3 rounds
Last round: Series D · $500MJul 2026$6.8B post
Works in: SpaceflightSatellites
Coverage: 2 programs · 3 updateslatest 1 Jul 2026checked 10 Oct
Lead investors: Kleiner PerkinsICONIQ
Customers: US Space ForceSES
People: Karan KunjurCEONeel KunjurCTO

Spec

Mega Class Satellite Bus

Power generation

20 kW^R (reported)

Payload capacity

1,000 kg^R (reported)

Solar panel span

40 m^R (reported)

Gravitas spacecraft mass

2 metric tons^R (reported)

Satellites per Falcon 9

10^R (reported)

Satellites per Starship

~50^E (estimated)