KMI Gears Up for Milestone Launch to the International Space Station Aboard SpaceX CRS-31

MARQUETTE, Mich. (Nov. 1, 2024) — MSU Research Foundation portfolio company Kall Morris, Inc. (KMI) is set to launch a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX CRS-31 mission on November 4, 2024, at 9:29 p.m. EST. The launch represents a key milestone for the Michigan-based space logistics company, advancing its Relocation As A Service (RAAS) technology. RAAS offers essential capabilities for space debris removal and orbit relocation, promoting safer and more sustainable space operations.

During the mission, KMI will deploy its REACCH prototype to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for in-space testing. REACCH is a mechanically articulated end effector featuring a unique combination of electrostatic and gecko adhesion to enable soft and secure capture of objects in space. This technology is capable of non-destructively securing and selectively releasing objects of nearly any shape, size, or surface condition, making it extremely adept at capturing a wide variety of orbital debris objects.

“This launch is not just a significant step for KMI, but also for the future of sustainable space exploration,” said Austin Morris, Co-Founder & Director of Engineering at KMI. “We wouldn’t be here without the relentless dedication of our Space Ranger team and the unwavering sup-port of our partners, community, and family.”

Founded in 2019 in Marquette, KMI has quickly become a leader in addressing one of space exploration’s most pressing issues: orbital debris. Its orbital logistics approach combines Relocation As A Service (RAAS) with Active Debris Removal (ADR), addressing the growing risk posed by unprepared objects and debris in congested orbits. KMI’s Laelaps spacecraft, which hosts the REACCH technology being tested on the ISS, is designed to retrieve and relocate debris, improving operational safety for commercial, civil, and national space agencies.

Since its founding, KMI has grown from a small startup to a rapidly scaling space logistics company with over $5 million in funding, including support from the MSU Research Foundation’s venture funds, Red Cedar Ventures and the Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III.

“We’re very excited about this launch and the significant milestone this represents for the team,” said Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, who oversees the Foundation’s two early-stage venture funds. “The space industry is dynamic and growing, and KMI is an exciting Michigan-based company making significant inroads into what many consider a key opportunity in addressing orbital debris.”

Michigan Rise was one of KMI’s first investors in 2021, supporting its development within the state’s growing space sector. The MSU Research Foundation has also backed two other space-focused startups—Atlas Space Operations and Orbion Space Technology—highlighting Michigan’s increasing activity in this industry. This launch represents the next step in the state’s contribution to sustainable space operations and reflects the Foundation’s commitment to advancing space technology through local innovation.