Satellites orbiting Earth are responsible for every GPS ping, global communication, weather prediction and live stream. But when they drift off course or end their missions, they pose a threat to space-based systems modern life depends on because most are unprepared and uncontrolled. There has been no way to safely move, repair or retire them until now. Kall Morris Inc. (KMI), an alumni-owned company based in Marquette, recently completed the first commercial demonstrations of its REACCH robotic system, which features mechanical tentacles that can safely grab and move objects in space, aboard the International Space Station.
In more than eight months at the ISS, the REACCH system was operated in six test sessions by NASA astronauts.
“The success of these tests showcase the immense capability of the REACCH system and most notably advance the state of the art of microgravity capture of uncontrolled objects,” said KMI Co-Founder & Director of Engineering Austin Morris in a press release. “The critical insights gained from these operations on board the ISS directly support the advancement of this technology, paving the way to commercial readiness of orbital relocation services via a practical solution that can be deployed in operational space environments.”
Operated by the Astrobee payload, REACCH became the largest ever Astrobee payload by both mass and volume. Additionally, KMI became the first commercial entity to capture an unprepared object in space and became the first private company to capture objects repeatedly in space. After 172 capture cycles during its mission aboard the ISS, REACCH returned to Earth aboard the SpaceX CRS-32 Dragon capsule, the first West Coast downmass in SpaceX's CRS history, which splashed down on May 25, 2025, at 1:44 AM EDT. This mission proved that on-orbit relocation services are real, scalable, and ready to solve one of the biggest challenges in space operations today.
"These test flights have profound implications for the future of sustainable and scalable space operations," noted KMI Co-Founder & CEO Troy M. Morris. "While a picture of 'mechanical-space-octopus-tentacles' is worth a thousand words, the lessons learned from practical testing will be invaluable. Our team has a tremendous amount of work ahead, but the reality of this breakthrough is that objects in space don't necessarily need a docking adapter or other specialized hardware to receive services from a ‘tow truck in space' and get objects to where customers want them.”
Satellite operators need an in-space capability to safely move objects of nearly any shape, size or surface without causing damage or leaving residue. No docking systems? No problem. REACCH uses flexible, bio-inspired tentacle arms to secure objects without the need for specific infrastructure or retrofitting, serving as a one-size-fits-most attachment system to enable almost any connection and relocation.
For the public, this means continued excellence from space systems and services: entertainment, internet, weather tracking and more. For satellite operators, it means extended mission lifespans, repositioning options, and mitigating risks to current missions. It opens the doors to a massive new market of Relocation as a Service (RaaS) with REACCH as the tip of the spear in innovations supporting KMI's RaaS model. That means any commercial, national security, or scientific satellite can be repositioned, assisted, or supported during or after a mission without previous preparations.
“In a world where every extra month of operation can represent millions in revenue, REACCH enables a future where satellites and those who use them aren't stranded, but supported,” commented Adam Kall, KMI Co-Founder & Director of Science.
With the REACCH hardware now back on Earth, KMI is reviewing mission data, continuing technology iteration, and embarking upon the next stage of development. A full-scale, commercial-ready flight demonstration is planned for 2028, using lessons learned from the ISS campaign to refine system capabilities and customer integration.
KMI was established by Kall, a 2018 NMU math and computer science graduate; Austin Morris, who earned a mechanical engineering technology degree in 2018; and Troy Morris, a 2016 psychology/behavior analysis graduate. The company is leveraging proprietary software, exclusive hardware and critical partnerships to develop a commercially viable system that extends and enhances vital space missions, all aligned toward "Keeping Space Clear for All." Learn more about the company at www.kallmorris.com.
Prepared by KMI. Media contact: liza.fust@kallmorris.com.