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K2 Space Awarded $60M STRATFI Contract for Groundbreaking Proliferated MEO Mission

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Breakthrough Multi-Orbit Platform to Launch in February 2026

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — K2 Space has signed a contract with the U.S. Space Force to launch its first Mega Class satellite on a mission code-named “Gravitas.” The contract, with a total value of $60 million, includes government funds, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) matching funds, and private funds.

The February 2026 mission will demonstrate the ability of the Mega Class satellite bus to proliferate across all orbits, with key demonstrations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). K2 Space will be one of the first commercial companies to demonstrate operations for government and commercial customers in MEO, a regime garnering significant interest for proliferation beyond LEO in programs such as “Resilient GPS.”

The groundbreaking mission received support and funding from multiple Department of the Air Force organizations, including the Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power PEO, The Space Development Agency, the Space Warfighting Acquisition Delta, the DoD’s Space Test Program, the Space Force’s National Space Test and Training Complex, and the Air Force Research Lab.

“This mission is fortunate to enjoy support from various parts of the U.S. Space Force; these stakeholders all recognized that the K2 bus is unique in its ability to provide the capabilities needed for their future missions,” said Karan Kunjur, CEO of K2 Space.

The K2 satellite bus represents a step change in satellite capabilities, delivering 10 times more power than any other low-cost bus in its class, and a large 3-meter by 3-meter payload deck. Designed for true multi-orbit functionality, the platform is made to handle the environments of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO), and Cislunar space, supporting future Hybrid Space Architectures. With the ability to stack 10 Mega Class satellites per Falcon 9 (or equivalent launch vehicle) to LEO, the K2 bus will make it possible to deploy constellations in a completely new way.

“As we looked at the market, we saw options for Proliferated LEO, but very few options for Proliferated MEO and GEO – the K2 bus is designed to fill this critical gap in our defense architecture,” Kunjur added.

To maintain competitive pricing while delivering superior capabilities, K2 Space manufactures 75% of satellite components in-house, including reaction wheels, flight computers, and solar arrays. The company is also developing the highest power electric propulsion system ever flown – a 20kW system that is four times more powerful than the highest power system flown to date – enabling completely new ways to populate MEO, GEO, and Cislunar constellations with rapid orbit-raise and maneuvering capabilities.

The Gravitas mission will demonstrate these revolutionary capabilities while carrying multiple National Security payloads.

Mission Timeline

Payload Integration: May 2025Qualification Testing: June – September 2025Launch: February 2026 (SpaceX Transporter-16)Extended LEO OperationsOrbit Raising to MEO DemonstrationExtended MEO Operations

With this mission, K2 Space will fully de-risk the platform and validate on-orbit performance in LEO and MEO.

“We’ve had a number of people tell us that delivering the capabilities we’re promising while maintaining the price point of $15M per satellite is impossible – with Gravitas we intend to turn these promises into proof points,” Kunjur added.

About K2 Space

K2 Space is developing a high-powered, low-cost satellite bus platform that delivers the capability of exquisite satellites at the price point and speed of small satellites. Redesigned from the reaction wheel up, the K2 bus multi-manifests ten satellites per Falcon 9, is made to handle the harsh environment of MEO and GEO, and has the highest power electric propulsion system ever flown – making it the platform for Proliferated LEO, Proliferated MEO, and Proliferated GEO. K2 Space was started by a team of former SpaceX engineers and has raised $72M in venture capital to date, with the backing of leading funds like Altimeter Capital and First Round Capital.

About SpaceWERX

As the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, SpaceWERX inspires and empowers collaboration with innovators to accelerate capabilities and shape our future in space. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SpaceWERX employs 40 military, civilian, and contractor personnel executing an annual $457 million budget. Additionally, SpaceWERX partners with Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office (COMSO) as a collaborative program. Since it was aligned under AFRL in August 2021, SpaceWERX has executed 1106 contracts worth more than $897 million to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit spacewerx.us.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Media Contact: press@k2space.com

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SOURCE K2 Space

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TECO Expands Renewable Energy Footprint in Australia Through Solar and Energy Storage Investments

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SYDNEY, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TECO Australia & New Zealand (TAC), a subsidiary of TECO Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd. (TWSE:1504), has invested in the Seaspray Solar + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Victoria, Australia, and will participate in the upcoming Tranche 2 energy portfolio. The move strengthens TECO’s presence in Australia’s renewable energy and power infrastructure market and reflects its transformation from an industrial equipment manufacturer into a comprehensive energy solutions provider, while bringing international engineering expertise to support Australia’s energy transition.

Stuart Walker, President of TECO Australia and New Zealand, said Australia is accelerating its energy transition, with energy storage playing a key role in improving grid resilience and supporting renewable energy integration. “We are proud to contribute to Australia’s energy infrastructure development. Through our participation in solar and energy storage projects, TECO aims to help create a more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy future for local communities,” he said.

The Seaspray project combines a 5.48 MWp solar farm with an 11 MWh battery energy storage system. Through a joint venture and strategic partnership with Billion Watts and Tun Green Power, TECO holds a 45% stake in the project and is expected to secure the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contract. For the upcoming Tranche 2 portfolio, totaling 50 MW / 200 MWh, TECO also plans to supply key power infrastructure equipment, including high-efficiency transformers, ring main units (RMUs), and switchgear. The project further strengthens TECO’s role as a long-term partner in Australia’s evolving energy infrastructure landscape.

TECO has operated in Australia for more than 40 years, evolving from a supplier of motors, power systems, and HVAC equipment into a participant in renewable energy and power infrastructure projects. Mr. Walker noted that the Seaspray and Tranche 2 projects demonstrate TECO Australia’s growing capabilities in power equipment supply, energy engineering integration, project delivery, and long-term participation in the region’s clean energy sector. The investments also support TECO’s broader strategy of expanding its renewable energy business across key international markets.

Looking ahead, TECO will continue to leverage its engineering expertise, advanced power technologies, and energy management capabilities to expand its renewable energy presence across Australia and Oceania. Through innovation, local partnerships, and global collaboration, TECO remains committed to supporting the energy transition and contributing to a cleaner, safer, and more resilient energy future.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/teco-expands-renewable-energy-footprint-in-australia-through-solar-and-energy-storage-investments-302806103.html

SOURCE TECO Electric & Machinery Co.

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PayPal Ads Delivers Bottom-Line Growth Advertisers Can Measure

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Campaigns from Adorama, Best Buy, and Etsy demonstrate how PayPal’s cross-
merchant Transaction Graph and Storefront Ads translate into real business growth

CANNES, France, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Marketers have spent years optimizing for attention, but impressions aren’t what CFOs look for when they’re deciding where to cut or double down. Brands like Adorama, Best Buy, and Etsy are turning to PayPal Ads because it’s built on what people actually purchase, giving marketers a more direct path to measurable business outcomes.

PayPal’s Transaction Graph aggregates real, cross-merchant purchase signals from more than 25B transactions1 across 400M+ PayPal and Venmo accounts2, spanning how people search, share, and shop. Unlike traditional retail media networks, which are limited to what happens inside a single retailer’s ecosystem, PayPal’s view is cross-merchant, which helps capture purchase behavior across categories and merchants. The result is an audience signal built on what, where, when, and how consumers spend, not what they scroll or browse.

“For years, advertising has been measured by attention. But chief financial officers want outcomes they can see in the numbers. The PayPal Transaction Graph is the CMO’s edge,” said Mark Grether, SVP & GM of PayPal Ads. “Built on what people actually buy, it provides real, cross-merchant purchase behavior across PayPal, Venmo, and PayPal Honey, which is why the brands working with us aren’t measuring success in impressions. They’re measuring campaigns in return, incremental lift, and new customer acquisition. When audiences are built on transactions, the results show where every budget decision is made: the bottom line.”

Reaching Real Buyers, Not Just Browsers
Adorama, a New York photography and electronics retailer, wanted to extend its online storefront directly to high-intent consumers, surfacing relevant products to the right buyers before they went looking at competitors. The goal was to get cameras, lenses, and electronics in front of people already primed to buy. 

By using PayPal Storefront Ads with the PayPal Transaction Graph audiences, Adorama was able to reach four highly engaged, relevant buyer audiences across the web and show them the product catalog directly within the advertising unit. This campaign drove 7.3x incremental return-on-advertising-spend (ROAS) and 14.9% incremental transaction lift. Additionally, the campaign brought in new buyers as 56% of purchasers had not bought from Adorama in the prior 12 months3.

“We needed to reach consumers who were looking for new camera and video equipment but were not shopping at Adorama,” said Yoav Shargil, Chief Marketing Officer, Adorama. “PayPal’s Transaction Graph helped us reach a high-intent audience we weren’t capturing through our existing marketing channels. The ability to target based on real purchase behavior gave us a meaningful lift in both new customers and overall returns.”

Finding High-Intent Shoppers through Efficiency at Scale
Best Buy leveraged PayPal Storefront Ads to more efficiently reach high-intent shoppers at scale. Powered by the PayPal Transaction Graph, these shoppable ad units enabled targeting based on real purchase behavior in consumer electronics and home technology. The campaigns delivered a 6.25x ROAS and dwell time 22% above platform benchmarks—driving both stronger efficiency and deeper consumer engagement.4

“PayPal’s Transaction Graph adds incremental signals based on real shopper behavior across our key categories,” said Amy Adams, Vice President of Media, Best Buy. “When combined with our customer intelligence, it builds on our capabilities to give us a more complete view of the customer—helping us better reach high-intent shoppers and drive more efficient conversion.”

Etsy + Conversion API: Closing the Loop on the PayPal Transaction Graph
As a platform for small business, it’s Etsy’s job to help sellers reach the right buyers.

Etsy ran PayPal Storefront Ads to audiences powered by the PayPal Transaction Graph: the cross-merchant commerce signal that no other media network can replicate. To help complete the picture, Etsy is now testing an integration with PayPal’s Conversion API (CAPI). CAPI sends Etsy’s conversion data back into the Transaction Graph, working to sharpen every audience and every measurement that follows.

Together, it’s a closed loop only PayPal can offer: real commerce signal in, real conversion signal back, every campaign smarter than the last.

“With better data, we can better match Etsy sellers with the shoppers looking for their special items. The PayPal Transaction Graph gave us audiences built on real commerce behavior,” said Gabe Trumbo, Director of Performance Media, Etsy. “We’re excited to be the first to put the full stack to work, testing Conversion API to help close the loop on every campaign and enable our sellers to reach the right shoppers where they are.”

PayPal Ads gives marketers direct access to a transaction graph that no single media network can replicate. Adorama, Best Buy, and Etsy are just some of the brands already seeing the results by using true purchase-based data to inform their advertising campaigns. To learn more about how PayPal Ads can help brands achieve their advertising goals, visit https://www.paypal.com/advertiser or speak with a PayPal Ads representative at the PayPal Patisserie in Cannes, France.

About PayPal
PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. For more information, visit paypal.com, about.pypl.com, and investor.pypl.com.

Media Contact:
PayPal Media Relations
mediarelations@paypal.com

Source:
1 PayPal Earnings-FY, 2025, based on PayPal internal data. Number of payment transactions is the total number of payments, net of payment reversals, successfully completed on PayPal’s payments platform or enabled by PayPal via a partner payment solution, not including gateway-exclusive transactions.

2 PayPal Earnings-Q2, 2025, based on PayPal internal data. Active accounts are PayPal consumer and merchant accounts that have completed a transaction within the last 12 months.

3 PayPal Internal Data. Adorama campaign dates: 4/1/2026 – 4/30/2026

4 PayPal Internal Data. Best Buy campaign dates: 2/6/2026-3/31/2026

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SOURCE PayPal Holdings, Inc.

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Envision Energy Expands African Presence with Inauguration of South Africa Office

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CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Envision Energy, a global leader in green technology, officially inaugurated its South Africa office in Cape Town, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-term commitment to supporting South Africa’s energy transition ambitions and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy solutions across the African continent.

The opening ceremony brought together government representatives, industry leaders, customers, partners, and stakeholders from across the energy sector. The event featured remarks from Kane Xu, Senior Vice President of Envision Energy, and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the Minister of Electricity and Energy of South Africa.

The Cape Town office will serve as Envision Energy’s regional hub for Southern Africa, supporting the company’s growing activities in wind power, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and integrated renewable energy solutions.

“The opening of our South Africa office represents an important milestone in Envision Energy’s journey across Africa,” said Kane Xu, Senior Vice President of Envision Energy. “South Africa is a key market in the global energy transition, and we are committed to being a long-term partner in supporting the country’s renewable energy and energy storage ambitions. Through local presence, local partnerships, and world-class technology, we look forward to contributing to a more resilient, sustainable, and affordable energy future.”

The Minister welcomed Envision Energy’s growing presence in South Africa and highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing the country’s energy goals.

“The establishment of Envision Energy’s Cape Town office demonstrates confidence in South Africa’s energy future. We look forward to continued collaboration in strengthening energy security and creating long-term opportunities for sustainable growth,” said Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the Minister of Electricity and Energy.

The opening comes as Envision Energy continues to expand its footprint across Africa, supporting utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects that contribute to grid stability, energy access, and decarbonization goals. The new Cape Town office further strengthens Envision Energy’s ability to serve customers and partners across South Africa and the wider African continent, while contributing to local talent development, knowledge sharing, and long-term industry growth.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/envision-energy-expands-african-presence-with-inauguration-of-south-africa-office-302806059.html

SOURCE Envision Energy

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