Outfitted with technology from ORBIT Communication Systems, new ground station increases network capacity for communications with small satellites
SEATTLE–October 13, 2015— Spaceflight, the leading full-service satellite, launch and communications provider, announced its third and newest ground station in Invercargill, New Zealand is now fully operational. With two other operational stations located in Fairbanks, AK and Tukwila, WA, Spaceflight continues to build out a network of ground stations to meet customer demand for low-latency communications for small satellites or constellations for Earth observation and other applications. As a result, operators can more rapidly access the data their satellites collect via Spaceflight’s network of ground stations.
“The small-satellite revolution requires massive improvements in latency, data throughput and operating costs compared to what is available today,” said Jason Andrews, chief executive of Spaceflight. “Bringing the ground station online in New Zealand is another step in executing on our vision to add more capacity across more continents to satisfy the tremendous customer demand.”
ORBIT, a leading provider of mission and business critical communication solutions for land, sea, air and space applications, was selected as the antenna system provider for Spaceflight’s New Zealand ground station, where its Gaia 100 product is well-suited for the needs of the small satellite community.
“ORBIT’s versatile ground station solutions, based on the Gaia family product-line, enable space agencies and satellite owners to download data for Earth Observation and remote sensing applications such as weather monitoring, disaster control, surveillance, and oil & gas exploration,“ saidErez Shabirow, ORBIT's CEO. “We are thrilled to play an integral role in helping accelerate the growth and capability of Spaceflight’s network of ground stations and making reliable communications between satellites and ground users immediately compatible.”
About Spaceflight
Spaceflight is a next-generation, integrated space services and solutions company that is fundamentally changing how small satellites are built, launched and operated to improve access to space and enable persistent global awareness. Through its market-leading subsidiaries and service lines, the company provides cost-effective, comprehensive small-satellite products and services from development to launch, communications and operations. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Spaceflight provides its services worldwide through its global network of partners, ground stations and launch vehicle providers. For more information, please visit www.spaceflight.com
About ORBIT Communication Systems
ORBIT is a global provider of highly engineered mission-critical communication solutions for land, sea, air and space applications. ORBIT's maritime, aerospace and land application solutions are suitable for commercial, defense and homeland security markets. ORBIT’s portfolio includes mobile satellite communication systems, communication management systems and tracking and telemetry ground stations, deployed on thousands of marine, airborne and ground platforms worldwide. ORBIT’s customers include leading navies, major systems integrators, communication service providers, earth observation organizations and space agencies.ORBIT'sintegrated end-to-end turnkey solutionsfor Earth Observation / Remote Sensing applicationscombine antenna systems, complete RF chain, M&C, control shelters and trailers, on-site installation & commissioning and service support. For more information, please visit www.orbit-cs.com