K2, an ambitious satellite manufacturer founded by former SpaceX engineers Karan and Neel Kunjur in 2022, is preparing to launch one of the most powerful spacecraft ever created. The satellite, named Gravitas, is set to be deployed aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a launch window opening at the end of this month.
Weighing in at two metric tons and featuring a wingspan of 40 meters when its solar panels are extended, Gravitas is designed to generate an impressive 20 kW of electricity. This capability enables it to power advanced payloads, including high-performance sensors and transceivers. For context, the larger ViaSat-3 can produce over 25 kW, while Starlink V2 satellites are estimated to reach 28 kW, showcasing Gravitas's significant power output compared to typical spacecraft.
"The future is higher power," asserts CEO Karan Kunjur, who has successfully raised $425 million to realize this vision. K2 was valued at $3 billion by investors in December 2025, and this launch marks the company's inaugural venture into operational space missions, which Kunjur describes as "the start of our iterative journey."
Gravitas will carry 12 undisclosed payload modules from various clients, including the Department of Defense, along with a groundbreaking 20 kW electric thruster, anticipated to be the most potent thruster ever utilized in space.
The mission's success will be assessed through multiple criteria: deployment of the spacecraft, activation of its payloads, and testing of its thruster capabilities. If successful, the spacecraft could ascend to a higher orbit using its thruster.
Kunjur acknowledges the challenges of launching new spacecraft, noting that 85% of Gravitas's components were developed in-house. The primary goal is to maximize data collection to inform future satellite designs. K2 aims to launch eleven additional satellites over the next two years, blending demonstration and commercial missions. By 2028, Kunjur envisions K2 producing satellites for clients to establish commercial networks of high-powered space vehicles.
As satellites increasingly contribute to economic growth, enhanced power capabilities are expected to open new business avenues. Kunjur anticipates that improved communications networks will benefit from this power boost, resulting in greater throughput and signals that are less vulnerable to interference. The demand for high-powered satellites is driven by the need for advanced data processing capabilities in orbit.
However, the cost of launching these satellites remains a significant hurdle. K2's initial strategy involves leveraging SpaceX's Starship, a massive rocket under development that promises to reduce launch costs significantly. Although the timeline for Starship's operational readiness remains uncertain, the growing need for powerful satellites positions K2 favorably in the market.
Ultimately, K2 believes that Gravitas, priced at $15 million, offers a competitive alternative to traditional high-powered satellites, while still being more powerful than similarly priced smaller models. As larger rockets become operational, Kunjur's team is poised to introduce even more powerful satellite options, with designs for a 100 kW satellite already prepared.