What Relative Dynamics does

Relative Dynamics is a Laurel, Maryland-based aerospace engineering firm founded in 2011 by Kush Patel (formerly of the Space Shuttle program) that operates as an engineering think-tank serving NASA, NOAA, USGS, JAXA, and the U.S. Space Development Agency. The company organizes its work around four service practices — Mission Assurance, Mission Operations, Communications, and Systems Engineering — delivering full lifecycle support including orbital mechanics, flight dynamics, conjunction assessment, launch operations, ground systems engineering, and quality/ISO compliance across NASA Earth observation programs (EOS, LandSat, GPM), GOES-R, WFIRST, ISS, Artemis, and Lunar Gateway.

The company develops proprietary optical communications hardware alongside its services. Its SCOUT (Space Communications Optical Universal Terminal) is an injection-molded, high strength-to-weight ratio optical laser communications payload using precision pointing motors. Under NASA SBIR Phase II (awarded 2022), the firm is advancing OCAT (Optical Communication Array Transceiver) toward coherent 100 Gbps near-Earth and deep-space operation, and separately won a Space Development Agency SBIR Phase I for GOCArT (Ground Optical Communication Array Terminal). CTO Dr. Michael Krainak (formerly 28 years at NASA Goddard Lasers and Electro-Optics Branch) leads the R&D portfolio with five patents and over 200 publications.

Relative Dynamics generates revenue primarily through professional services contracts with U.S. federal civil and defense agencies, including prime contracts and subcontractor positions such as its embedded role under KBR on the NASA Wallops Range Operations Contract. Revenue is supplemented by NASA SBIR grant funding and the company holds an SBA 8(a) Small Business designation across six NAICS codes, giving it set-aside access to government work. Pricing is contract-negotiated, not publicly disclosed, and the firm does not publish revenue.

Name

Relative Dynamics

Legal name

Relative Dynamics

Website

https://relativedynamics.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Relative Dynamics is a Laurel, Maryland aerospace engineering firm founded in 2011 that delivers mission assurance, mission operations, communications, and systems engineering services to NASA, NOAA, USGS, and the Space Development Agency, while developing proprietary optical communication terminals (SCOUT, OCAT, GOCArT) under NASA SBIR awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Engineering Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)

Keywords

• Aerospace engineering services
• Optical communications
• Mission operations support
• Spacecraft systems engineering
• Flight dynamics services

Headquarters

HQ city

Greenbelt

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: Primary revenue from government contracting including prime and subcontractor positions supporting NASA, military, and other federal agencies. Services include mission assurance, mission operations, communications analysis, and systems engineering.
2. SBIR Awards: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from NASA including Phase 1 and Phase 2 awards for optical communication technology development including OCAT and SCOUT terminal development.
3. Spacecraft Operations Support: Ongoing spacecraft operations support including real-time satellite operations, subsystem engineering, flight dynamics, and mission planning for NASA Earth observation satellites (EOS, Landsat, GPM).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Relative Dynamics delivers specialized aerospace engineering services and proprietary optical communication technology for government and private sector space missions. The company provides four core service practices — Mission Assurance, Mission Operations, Optical & RF Communications, and Systems Engineering — supporting NASA, NOAA, USGS, and military agencies across full mission lifecycles from conception and design through launch and operations. It also develops the Space Communications Optical Universal Terminal (SCOUT) and the Optical Communication Array Transceiver (OCAT) for satellite-to-satellite, satellite-to-Earth, and deep space optical communications.

Product overview

Relative Dynamics is an aerospace engineering consultancy and think tank founded in 2011, offering a portfolio of specialized engineering services organized around four core practice areas: Mission Assurance, Mission Operations, Optical & RF Communications, and Systems Engineering. The company also develops proprietary technology products including the Space Communications Optical Universal Terminal (SCOUT) — an affordable optical laser communications payload designed for satellite and planetary communications — and its advanced successor, the Optical Communication Array Transceiver (OCAT), developed under NASA SBIR awards. These products are complemented by deep expertise in flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, RF/optical communications analysis, controls systems, and ground systems engineering, serving NASA, military, and government agency missions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Space Communications Optical Universal Terminal (SCOUT) An affordable optical laser communications payload for satellite-to-satellite, satellite-to-Earth, planetary lander-to-Earth, and planetary lander/orbiter communications. Features a low-cost, injection-molded high-volume opto-mechanical structure with one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios and Precision Pointing technology with a new class of high-performance, ultra high-vacuum compatible motors. Aimed at satellite and deep space mission operators seeking cost-efficient communications.
• Optical Communication Array Transceiver (OCAT) Next-generation near-Earth and deep space optical communication array terminal technology developed under NASA SBIR Phase 2. Targets coherent transceivers at 100 Gbps data rates and near-optimum receiver efficiency for worldwide and interplanetary internet access. Intended for satellite operators, deep space missions, and interplanetary communications applications.
• Mission Assurance Services

Quantifiable outcome

• NASA award worthy recognition for high fidelity operations support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• KBRcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKBR is the prime contractor at NASA Wallops Flight Facility. Relative Dynamics operates as a subcontractor (45% of team are subcontractors) providing quality assurance and mission support services. The relationship enables Relative Dynamics to deliver services under KBR's NASA Range Operations Contract (ROC).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Torch Technologies: Small business providing aerospace and defense engineering services, including mission support and R&D to NASA and DoD. Comparable on services mix, federal customer base, and small-business scale.
• Aerodyne Industries: Small business prime contractor to NASA providing mission assurance, range operations, and engineering services. Directly comparable on NASA prime-contractor role, small-business contracting posture, and mission operations focus.
• MEI Technologies: Small business providing aerospace engineering, mission operations, and systems engineering services to NASA. Directly comparable on services portfolio, NASA customer concentration, and SBIR-based optical/communications work.
• Millennium Engineering and Integration (MEI): Aerospace engineering services firm supporting NASA and DoD on mission operations, flight dynamics, and systems engineering. Comparable on services mix and customer base; similar small/mid-scale footprint.
• SA Photonics: Small business developing free-space optical communications and photonic systems for space and aerospace applications. Most direct competitor to Relative Dynamics on SCOUT/OCAT optical terminal technology.
• Fibertek, Inc. Small business specializing in NASA-relevant laser communications, lidar, and electro-optics systems. Closely comparable to Relative Dynamics on technology (optical space comms), customer base (NASA), and small-business scale.

Broad incumbents

• SAIC: Large federal services and IT integrator with aerospace engineering and NASA mission support practices. Comparable on federal customer focus and engineering services, but at much greater scale and broader portfolio.
• ASRC Federal: Larger federal services contractor with deep NASA mission support presence. Comparable on services portfolio and NASA customer set, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope than Relative Dynamics.
• CACI International: Major government IT and engineering services contractor with substantial NASA and DoD mission support work. Comparable on services portfolio but operates at enterprise scale across many federal customers.
• L3Harris Technologies: Large incumbent defense and space prime with significant space-based optical communications and spacecraft payload business. Competes with Relative Dynamics in optical space comms but at vastly larger scale and as part of a broad portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/relative-dynamics

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Relative Dynamics