Gravitics, a Washington-based startup, has recently secured a $125 million contract with Axiom Space to contribute to the expansion of its planned space station. This deal is a significant milestone for Gravitics, which was founded in 2021 and has previously raised $20 million in venture funding. The company aims to establish itself as a manufacturer of private space stations by providing plug-and-play space station modules that can be launched on various rockets, including SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Blue Origin’s New Glenn.
The modules designed by Gravitics range from 3 meters to 8 meters in diameter, with the largest module, called StarMax, boasting the “largest interior volume in a standalone spacecraft.” The inspiration for this name came from SpaceX’s Starship rocket, and Gravitics believes that maximizing payload volume is crucial in the industry. The company has been working on prototypes and conducting tests, including test-firing its propulsion system and pressure-testing module prototypes. In fact, some components will be flown to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year for further testing, and Gravitics plans to launch a subscale spacecraft by 2026.
Axiom Space, one of the companies building private space stations, has already secured a NASA contract for building space station modules. Gravitics’ agreement with Axiom represents an opportunity for the startup to contribute its spacecraft to Axiom’s station in the future. However, Gravitics CEO Colin Doughan clarified that their deal is not exclusive and that they hope to collaborate with multiple teams for future projects. He also mentioned that their focus is on manufacturing rather than operations.
To further strengthen its position in the industry, Gravitics has signed agreements with NASA and the Space Force. These partnerships allow the company to explore new approaches to testing large spacecraft and work closely with customers who are ready to make purchases. Doughan highlighted that the Space Force’s budget is expanding rapidly and is expected to exceed NASA’s budget.
The Axiom deal serves as a catalyst for Gravitics’ growth. The company plans to double its workforce in the coming months and initiate a new round of fundraising. With the increasing demand for private space stations and the imminent end of the International Space Station’s time in orbit, Gravitics is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the industry.
