Auria, a provider of command, control, and communications (C3) software and solutions for advanced space and missile operations, has acquired RKF Engineering Solutions and Kythera Space Solutions, adding satellite communications engineering, spectrum management expertise, and autonomous payload software to its portfolio. Auria is a portfolio company of Enlightenment Capital.
The deal brings together two Bethesda, Maryland-based businesses that support U.S. Space Force and broader government and commercial customers. Founded in 2002, RKF provides SATCOM engineering and spectrum management solutions that help manage satellite and terrestrial network connectivity amid increasingly complex spectrum and orbital demands. Founded in 2018, Kythera offers a proprietary software suite for autonomous management of next-generation software-defined satellite payloads, including the Kythera Operating System, positioned as an intelligence layer enabling operators to manage in-orbit SATCOM and spectrum resources more autonomously.
Auria said the acquisitions strengthen its ability to deliver an end-to-end offering across the C3 lifecycle, spanning space assets and payloads through ground systems to operational users. The combined capabilities are expected to expand Auria’s support for enterprise-level SATCOM system design, integration, and operations, while adding payload management software designed for modern space networks and national security missions.
Auria is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and operates across multiple U.S. locations, including Boulder, Washington, D.C., Huntsville, Albuquerque, Ogden, and San Diego. Enlightenment Capital, based in the Washington, D.C. area, invests in middle-market companies across the aerospace, defense, government, and technology sectors.
KEY QUOTES:
“The acquisitions of RKF and Kythera enhance Auria’s SATCOM engineering expertise and add advanced software capabilities critical to modern space-based communications and space operations. We are thrilled to welcome the RKF and Kythera teams to Auria. With these acquisitions, we are well positioned to continue delivering secure, resilient space operations solutions in support of key national security missions.”
Thomas Young, Partner, Enlightenment Capital
“Auria has been partnered with RKF and Kythera for several years in support of the Space Force. These acquisitions expand Auria’s capabilities in design, integration, and operations of enterprise-level satellite communications systems. Their teams deepen our engineering and software capabilities across enterprise SATCOM and payload management, enabling Auria to deliver more resilient, integrated solutions for our government customers’ most critical and complex space missions.”
Damian DiPippa, CEO, Auria
