Atlas Space Operations activates new ground station in Rwanda
Atlas Space Operations has announced the activation of its latest ground station in Mwulire, Rwanda. This strategic expansion marks a major enhancement to the companys global ground network and significantly improves the capabilities of the COSMIC-2 satellite mission, which supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in monitoring global weather and space weather conditions.
The newly activated Rwandan antenna receives data from six COSMIC-2 satellites. These satellites continuously measure atmospheric and ionospheric conditions through a process called radio occultation, providing NOAA with critical real-time data essential for accurate forecasting. Given the constantly changing nature of atmospheric and ionospheric activity, Atlas is tasked with delivering this data to NOAA in under 60 seconds, a performance standard the company consistently meets.
Rwanda's geographical location makes it a key asset in supporting the COSMIC-2 constellation, allowing for an ideal number of satellite contacts. The ground station in Mwulire now complements Atlass existing infrastructure in Ghana and Tahiti, reinforcing the resilience and reach of the overall network. The establishment of the Rwandan station was initiated at NOAAs request and made possible through Atlass partnership with the Rwanda Space Agency.
Corey Geer, CEO of Atlas Space Operations, said: 'The activation of our new antenna in Rwanda is a testament to the strength of our partnership with the Rwanda Space Agency and commitment to growing our network to best serve our customers. This strategic addition significantly enhances our ability to deliver critical COSMIC-2 data, ensuring that NOAA receives the vital information they need for accurate and timely atmospheric and ionospheric monitoring.'
Atlas currently supports over 3,000 satellite contacts per month across its global network. From July 2019 through May 31, 2025, the company has successfully managed 156,653 NOAA satellite contacts while maintaining an impressive ground station availability rate of 99.36%.
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