Gravitics Unveiled Diamondback - A Smaller Orbital Carrier

Gravitics, developer of orbital carrier, led by Colin Doughan, Sundeep Kumar, Scott Macklin, Michael DeRosa, Gary Hudson, and others, has unveiled Diamondback, a smaller orbital carrier designed to fulfill missions from protecting US national security satellites to deploying space-based missile interceptors, on Tuesday at Payload’s Space Investor Summit.

Gravitics CEO Colin Doughan likened the company’s orbital carrier model to a network of police stations: strategically positioned hubs equipped with rapid-response vehicles balance limited resources with the need for fast action. In this analogy, Gravitics’ spacecraft functions like a police station, staging assets such as deterrent tech or interceptors before deployment. A third stage acts as a rapid-response vehicle, sending assets where needed, while onboard protection from thermal fluctuations, radiation, and micrometeorites keeps them mission-ready.

Diamondback, built from Gravitics’ commercial spacecraft, can stage initial response capabilities in orbit to provide early global coverage. The system allows scalable deployment, either with larger carriers or a federated fleet, to quickly achieve an operational presence. In March, Gravitics was awarded a Space Force STRATFI contract of up to $60M to develop Diamondback for the Defense Department.

Gravitics’ technology can support defense operations by housing assets to protect national security satellites and deploying space-based interceptors. Its compact design allows even small vehicles to carry multiple interceptors, effectively serving as a high-capacity orbital magazine. Civil applications are also possible, including rapid staging of emergency rescue equipment or supplies for astronauts.