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 part of the Enlightenment Capital portfolio.
RKF Engineering Solutions, founded in 2002 and based in Bethesda, Maryland, offers satellite communications engineering and spectrum management services to clients such as the U.S. Space Force. The company supports both satellite and terrestrial network connectivity.
Kythera Space Solutions, established in 2018 also in Bethesda, provides a proprietary software suite designed for autonomous management of advanced software-defined satellite payloads. Its Kythera Operating System (KOS) acts as an intelligence layer for managing modern space networks across public and private sectors.
The acquisition will allow Auria to expand its technical abilities in SATCOM by integrating engineering tools and satellite payload software from RKF and Kythera into its existing product offerings. This move aims to help Auria deliver end-to-end solutions covering all aspects of C3 lifecycle management—from space assets to ground systems.
“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,” said Thomas Young, Partner at Enlightenment Capital. “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.”
“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,” 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.”
Auria develops systems that support various aspects of space operations including domain awareness, SATCOM services, missile defense initiatives for federal agencies as well as international commercial clients.
Enlightenment Capital is a private investment firm based near Washington DC that focuses on middle-market companies within aerospace, defense, government technology sectors.
