Auria, a provider of orbital warfare and C3 software backed by Enlightenment Capital, announced Tuesday the acquisition of RKF Engineering Solutions (RKF) and Kythera Space Solutions (Kythera). The dual acquisition consolidates spectrum engineering and autonomous satellite command capabilities under Auria’s expanding defense portfolio.
The Deal Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, both RKF and Kythera share a lineage in high-level satellite engineering. RKF, founded in 2002, specializes in spectrum interference analysis and regulatory engineering for the U.S. Space Force and commercial operators. Its spin-off, Kythera Space Solutions, focuses on dynamic management software for software-defined payloads.
Technical Integration The move targets the “C3 continuum”—the chain connecting space assets to ground systems and warfighters. By absorbing Kythera, Auria gains the Kythera Operating System (KOS), a software suite that functions as an intelligence layer for modern space networks. KOS allows operators to autonomously manage in-orbit resources, a capability essential for next-generation, multi-orbit constellations that require real-time spectrum agility.
“Auria has been partnered with RKF and Kythera for several years in support of the Space Force,” said Damian DiPippa, CEO of Auria. “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.”
Strategic Context The acquisition reflects a broader industry trend where private equity-backed integrators are absorbing specialized engineering firms to offer “end-to-end” solutions. Thomas Young, a partner at Enlightenment Capital, noted that the deal creates a platform capable of securing “national security missions” by merging physical engineering tools with automated payload software.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.