K2 Space will launch its second satellite, Gravitas, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket later this month.

According to a LinkedIn post from K2 co-founder and CEO Karan Kunjur, the 20kW satellite has been shipped to the launch site.

Gravitas has a mass of two metric tons with solar panels that extend up to 40 meters (131 ft). The satellite can generate more electricity than conventional satellites, and is intended as a proof of concept for the technology for orbital data centers.

Kunjur said the satellite was built 85 percent in-house, as the supply chain to build such a satellite doesn’t exist. It includes large solar arrays, a high-power propulsion system, large batteries, and large reaction wheels. Kunjur noted that this launch was “the first time all of these systems are test on orbit together.”

In terms of levels of success, Kunjur explained that, at a baseline, K2 wants to deploy solar arrays, establish communications, and operate the satellite. This would be considered a “baseline” mission success.

A second-tier success would see the satellite power on its payloads and activate its 20kW propulsion system.

Finally, at a third tier of success, K2 would orbit raise the satellite and test its performance in high radiation environments.

“More than anything, Gravitas represents the start of an iterative journey, where we will take the data we receive from this first satellite and incorporate it into the next wave of satellites launching next year. We’re excited to start this journey. We’ll report back as we get more data,” Kunjur said.

K2 Space was founded in 2022 by Karan Kunjur and his brother Neel Kunjur, former SpaceX engineers.

The company launched its first satellite, Heritage, in January 2025, demonstrating critical subsystems in low-Earth orbit.