Katalyst Space

Last week, we hosted UT Austin professors Dr. Maruthi Akella and Dr. Brandon Jones at our factory in Broomfield, CO, for a series of technical talks with the Katalyst team. Dr. Jones presented research on how spacecraft can detect, track, and monitor multiple objects on orbit simultaneously. His work also explores how satellites can prioritize observations and combine data from multiple sensors to improve Space Situational Awareness using distributed satellite systems. Dr. Akella discussed advances in robotics and autonomy for spacecraft operating in dynamic and uncertain environments. His research focuses on developing autonomous systems that can adapt to changing mission conditions and operate reliably with limited human oversight. This research is closely tied to the work we do at Katalyst. We’re developing spacecraft capable of autonomously approaching and capturing satellites already operating on orbit, including spacecraft not designed for docking or servicing. That requires spacecraft to navigate around another satellite, track its motion in real time, and execute docking or capture operations safely in orbit. Autonomous docking creates entirely new options for satellite operators. Spacecraft can be repositioned, serviced, and upgraded on orbit, reducing the need to replace critical systems every time a mission changes or a new threat emerges. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the The University of Texas at Austin.

The Katalyst team has completed environmental testing of our robotic spacecraft, LINK, clearing a major milestone ahead of launch next month. LINK will capture and raise the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory before it reenters Earth’s atmosphere later this year. Since contract award in September 2025, the team has compressed spacecraft development, integration, and validation into less than one year. That is an aggressive timeline for any spacecraft mission, especially one as technically complex as this. The campaign included vibration testing to simulate launch conditions and thermal vacuum testing inside Goddard’s Space Environment Simulator to replicate the harsh conditions of space. The team also validated key spacecraft systems, including LINK’s xenon-fueled Hall effect thrusters and robotic arm deployment. LINK is now back home at Katalyst’s facility in Broomfield for final preparations before shipment to NASA Wallops for launch vehicle integration. Follow along for updates as we move toward launch! More on our testing campaign linked below. 👇 Image credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts

LINK is our robotic spacecraft designed to rendezvous with and capture NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Space Observatory, boosting its altitude before it reenters Earth’s atmosphere. Once LINK reaches orbit, it will deploy its solar arrays, developed in-house. Each wing is over 6 meters long and nearly 2 meters wide, generating more than 2.1 kW of power per wing--exceptional output for a spacecraft in this class. This high, continuous power supply supports the operation of three 1 kW Hall effect thrusters over extended durations, sustaining the long, efficient burns required to maneuver and boost Swift, a spacecraft roughly four times the mass of LINK, back to its original orbit.

Katalyst Space Technologies is entering its next phase, shifting from developing core capabilities to deploying them at scale. To support that transition, three senior leaders have joined the team: Dr. Rudranarayan (Rudra) Mukherjee, Chief Architect – Former NASA JPL lead for in-space servicing, robotics, and rendezvous and proximity operations. At Katalyst, Rudra will lead system architecture for capabilities that enable docking, resource transfer, refueling, and coordinated spacecraft operations. Andrew Thompson, Vice President of Operations – Brings operations leadership from early-stage space companies. He will build the infrastructure required to scale execution across business operations and manufacturing. Kevin Smith, Director of Space Systems – Previously at Orbit Fab, Astrobotic, and Moog. He will lead development of modular on-orbit applications, including refueling, space superiority and sensing capabilities. These new hires establish the leadership needed to build, operate, and scale Katalyst during this next stage of growth. Welcome to the team, Rudranarayan Mukherjee, Andrew Thompson, and Kevin Smith! Read more: https://lnkd.in/ga4h9dHb

Last week our robotic spacecraft, LINK, arrived at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for environmental testing.   At Goddard, we are running two key tests: vibration and thermal vacuum.   These tests answer two questions: can LINK survive the ride to orbit, and will it operate once it gets there? We replicate the forces of launch through controlled vibration and simulate the space environment in a vacuum chamber with extreme temperature swings, all while the spacecraft is powered on.   This is where design meets reality. These tests expose weaknesses, validate performance, and give us the data needed to move forward with confidence. Read more below 👇

Nine months ago, our LINK robotic spacecraft was a concept on a PowerPoint. Last week, we completed build, tracking toward our June launch. In that time, the team developed a highly complex robotic spacecraft capable of docking with NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, an unprepared satellite, and generating enough power to reboost it back to its original orbit. This mission depends on moving quickly to have a chance of reaching Swift before it deorbits. Completing build is a major milestone that highlights the team’s ability to identify a need and respond in time for it to matter. This week, the spacecraft is at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for environmental testing. Follow along for updates!

At the RPO Workshop last month hosted by Space Dynamics Laboratory Andrew Sabovik from Katalyst Space and Bo Naasz from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center presented our work on the Robotic Orbital Rescue of NASA’s Neil Gehrel's Swift Observatory. Here are the key takeaways: ▪️ Power and control: Katalyst’s robotic spacecraft, LINK, uses a combination of hall effect thrusters and RCS for the orbit raise and for precise control. ▪️ Safe capture: Swift was not designed for docking. We’ve developed a method to approach, capture, and stabilize it safely, including keep out zones and a defined trajectory plan to reduce collision risk. ▪️ 9-month timeline: From award to launch in about 9 months, supported by in-house testing that allows us to build, test, and iterate quickly, raising the bar on responsiveness. Moving quickly does not mean taking shortcuts. It requires controlled systems, clear operational boundaries, and disciplined execution. This mission matters because it demonstrates a new way of thinking about space operations. De-orbiting is not the only option for aging spacecraft. This week we're finishing up build for this spacecraft. Follow along for updates!

Katalyst has selected Arianespace to launch our robotic spacecraft, NEXUS-1, for a GEO mission in 2027. Most satellites are limited by design choices made years before launch. We’re building NEXUS to execute Dynamic Space Operations, giving operators another choice beyond costly replacement or doing nothing: on-demand control to respond to emerging threats and changes in the market. NEXUS docks with satellites already on orbit to: 1.    Install new hardware 2.    Reposition 3.    Extend life 4.    Perform space domain awareness Geostationary orbit hosts many of the world’s most critical assets for national security missions and global communications. In an environment that’s never been more competitive, congested, and crowded, some satellites are now maneuvering dangerously close to others without warning. Most systems flying today aren’t designed to detect or respond to this activity. NEXUS-1 addresses these challenges, giving operators new options. In 2027, it will demonstrate how a single vehicle can support multiple missions for a diverse set of clients. Katalyst is working with customers to: 1.    Install new sensors so satellites can see nearby activity 2.    Perform repeated rendezvous proximity operations and docking using different procedures 3.    Extend mission life to keep satellites operating This builds on our upcoming LINK mission with NASA, where we’ll dock with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, an unprepared spacecraft with no docking ports, and raise its orbit to extend its life. That’s the shift: From doing nothing or paying for costly replacements to leveraging existing investments on orbit to extend life and capabilities. We're excited to partner with ARIANESPACE on this important mission to deploy these capabilities for our government and commercial partners. Read more about the mission below 👇

The Katalyst team is working to raise NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Space Observatory to a higher, stable orbit before it reenters the atmosphere. This summer, our robotic spacecraft will capture Swift and reboost it to its original orbit, so it can continue studying the most powerful explosions in the universe. This is a one-shot mission. It’s a race against the clock. Our mission patch reflects that: bold, fast, and a little wild. Audentes Fortuna luvat – Fortune favors the bold. Here’s what makes this possible: ▪️ A robotic capture system built to adapt to target motion and limited attachment points to safely dock with unprepared satellites ▪️ A modular spacecraft bus built in-house, so we can quickly integrate and swap sensors, navigation hardware, and actuators as the mission evolves ▪️ A 5-DOF rendezvous and proximity operations testbed, running repeated approach and capture sequences against full-scale Swift mockups to validate guidance, navigation, and control before flight Behind all of this is a deeply hands-on, mission-driven team: people who take real ownership and care about getting things right. We're committed to craftsmanship, humility, and solving hard problems the right way. This mission is being executed in close coordination with NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Northrop Grumman, our launch partner. Shoutout to Stephen Clark and Ars Technica for the article on this mission linked below 👇 Huge thanks to Giselle Koo for the original artwork!

Katalyst has selected Arianespace to launch our robotic spacecraft, NEXUS-1, for a GEO mission in 2027. Most satellites are limited by design choices made years before launch. We’re building NEXUS to execute Dynamic Space Operations, giving operators another choice beyond costly replacement or doing nothing: on-demand control to respond to emerging threats and changes in the market. NEXUS docks with satellites already on orbit to: 1.    Install new hardware 2.    Reposition 3.    Extend life 4.    Perform space domain awareness Geostationary orbit hosts many of the world’s most critical assets for national security missions and global communications. In an environment that’s never been more competitive, congested, and crowded, some satellites are now maneuvering dangerously close to others without warning. Most systems flying today aren’t designed to detect or respond to this activity. NEXUS-1 addresses these challenges, giving operators new options. In 2027, it will demonstrate how a single vehicle can support multiple missions for a diverse set of clients. Katalyst is working with customers to: 1.    Install new sensors so satellites can see nearby activity 2.    Perform repeated rendezvous proximity operations and docking using different procedures 3.    Extend mission life to keep satellites operating This builds on our upcoming LINK mission with NASA, where we’ll dock with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, an unprepared spacecraft with no docking ports, and raise its orbit to extend its life. That’s the shift: From doing nothing or paying for costly replacements to leveraging existing investments on orbit to extend life and capabilities. We're excited to partner with ARIANESPACE on this important mission to deploy these capabilities for our government and commercial partners. Read more about the mission below 👇