Auria, a company specializing in command, control, and communications (C3) software for space and missile operations, has acquired RKF Engineering Solutions and Kythera Space Solutions. The announcement was made on January 20, 2026. Auria is backed by Enlightenment Capital.
RKF Engineering Solutions, established in 2002 and based in Bethesda, Maryland, provides satellite communications engineering and spectrum management services to the U.S. Space Force as well as other government and commercial clients. Kythera Space Solutions, founded in 2018 and also headquartered in Bethesda, offers a proprietary software suite for managing software-defined satellite payloads. Its main product, the Kythera Operating System (KOS), allows operators to autonomously oversee satellite communications and spectrum resources.
By acquiring RKF and Kythera, Auria expands its technical expertise in SATCOM engineering and adds new tools to its software portfolio. This move enables Auria to offer comprehensive solutions covering the entire C3 lifecycle—from space assets to ground systems.
Thomas Young, Partner at Enlightenment Capital, said: “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.”
Damian DiPippa, CEO of Auria added: “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.”
Auria develops systems that support space operations—including domain awareness, satellite communications (SATCOM), and missile defense—for federal as well as international clients.
Enlightenment Capital is a private investment firm based near Washington DC that invests in companies within the aerospace, defense, government & technology sectors.
