Latest news with #COSMIC-2
Broadcast Pro
20-07-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Atlas Space Operations activates new ground station in Rwanda
The Rwanda ground station receives data from six COSMIC-2 satellites, which continuously measure the Earths atmosphere and ionosphere using radio occultation. 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%.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
ATLAS Space Operations Enhances Global Ground Station Network and Support for COSMIC-2 with Addition of a New Antenna in Rwanda
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., July 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ATLAS Space Operations, a leading provider of Ground Station as a Service, today announced the activation of its newest antenna in Mwulire, Rwanda, a strategic addition to its global ground network. The expansion significantly enhances COSMIC-2's ability to collect and provide critical data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for global weather and space weather monitoring. The Rwanda ground station receives data from six COSMIC-2 satellites, which continuously measure the Earth's atmosphere and ionosphere using radio occultation. The data collected by these spacecraft are crucial for accurate weather and space weather forecasting. Due to the dynamic nature of the atmosphere and ionosphere, rapid delivery of data to NOAA is paramount. ATLAS maintains a stringent requirement to deliver this data from its ground stations to NOAA in under 60 seconds. This new site in Rwanda adds significant robustness to the ATLAS ground network, complementing existing ground stations in Ghana and Tahiti, also supporting the COSMIC-2 mission. Rwanda's unique geographic location offers an ideal number of contacts with the COSMIC-2 constellation, making it an exceptionally strategic asset for data reception. The addition of this site was requested by NOAA when it became available and ATLAS was able to offer this location through its strong partnership with the Rwanda Space Agency. "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," said Corey Geer, Chief Executive Officer at ATLAS Space Operations. "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 handles 3,000+ satellite contacts per month across its network. Since July 2019, as of May 31, 2025, ATLAS has successfully handled 156,653 contacts from NOAA satellites, maintaining a ground station availability of 99.36%. Furthermore, data has been delivered on average in under 40 seconds across all contacts, demonstrating ATLAS's commitment to efficiency and reliability. About ATLAS Space Operations, Inc. ATLAS Space Operations is the leading provider of Ground Software as a Service™ in the space communications industry. ATLAS' revolutionary Freedom® software has been recognized by industry-leading publications and organizations such as Via Satellite and CIO Review. Additionally, Aerospace & Defense Review named ATLAS the Space Tech Company of the Year (2024) and acknowledged ATLAS as one of the Top Satellite Solutions Providers (2024, 2023). Lastly, ATLAS was highlighted in the CIO Review: Telecom Edition as Company of the Year (2023), as well as one of the 10 Most Promising Technologies. ATLAS combines the Freedom Software Platform and its federated global antenna network to achieve its mission of securing space access anytime, anywhere. To learn more, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Dan CareyBrand Director, ATLAS Space Operationsdcarey@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Science
- Business Wire
ATLAS Space Operations Enhances Global Ground Station Network and Support for COSMIC-2 with Addition of a New Antenna in Rwanda
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ATLAS Space Operations, a leading provider of Ground Station as a Service, today announced the activation of its newest antenna in Mwulire, Rwanda, a strategic addition to its global ground network. The expansion significantly enhances COSMIC-2's ability to collect and provide critical data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for global weather and space weather monitoring. The Rwanda ground station receives data from six COSMIC-2 satellites, which continuously measure the Earth's atmosphere and ionosphere using radio occultation. The data collected by these spacecraft are crucial for accurate weather and space weather forecasting. Due to the dynamic nature of the atmosphere and ionosphere, rapid delivery of data to NOAA is paramount. ATLAS maintains a stringent requirement to deliver this data from its ground stations to NOAA in under 60 seconds. This new site in Rwanda adds significant robustness to the ATLAS ground network, complementing existing ground stations in Ghana and Tahiti, also supporting the COSMIC-2 mission. Rwanda's unique geographic location offers an ideal number of contacts with the COSMIC-2 constellation, making it an exceptionally strategic asset for data reception. The addition of this site was requested by NOAA when it became available and ATLAS was able to offer this location through its strong partnership with the Rwanda Space Agency. '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,' said Corey Geer, Chief Executive Officer at ATLAS Space Operations. '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 handles 3,000+ satellite contacts per month across its network. Since July 2019, as of May 31, 2025, ATLAS has successfully handled 156,653 contacts from NOAA satellites, maintaining a ground station availability of 99.36%. Furthermore, data has been delivered on average in under 40 seconds across all contacts, demonstrating ATLAS's commitment to efficiency and reliability. About ATLAS Space Operations, Inc. ATLAS Space Operations is the leading provider of Ground Software as a Service™ in the space communications industry. ATLAS' revolutionary Freedom® software has been recognized by industry-leading publications and organizations such as Via Satellite and CIO Review. Additionally, Aerospace & Defense Review named ATLAS the Space Tech Company of the Year (2024) and acknowledged ATLAS as one of the Top Satellite Solutions Providers (2024, 2023). Lastly, ATLAS was highlighted in the CIO Review: Telecom Edition as Company of the Year (2023), as well as one of the 10 Most Promising Technologies. ATLAS combines the Freedom Software Platform and its federated global antenna network to achieve its mission of securing space access anytime, anywhere. To learn more, visit
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Powerful Mother's Day geomagnetic storm created radio-disrupting bubbles in Earth's upper atmosphere
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Researchers from Kyushu University in Japan have provided some new insights about the powerful geomagnetic storm that flared up last Mother's Day, after a big solar storm hit Earth. The work focuses on the storm's activity in a region of Earth's ionosphere called the E layer, which sits in the upper atmosphere about 56 miles to 75 miles (90 to 120 kilometers) above sea level. "The sporadic E layer hasn't been studied very much during the storm because it appeared unaffected by solar storms," study leader Huixin Liu said in a statement. "But we wanted to see if something as powerful as the Mother's Day geomagnetic storm did anything to the E layer," Liu added. "What we found was very interesting." The E layer was significantly enhanced during the storm, the team found; thin patches of high ionization density — known as sporadic E layers, or sporadic Es for short — suddenly appeared in the ionosphere. To gather data on the phenomena, the team relied on a combination of sources from space and on the ground. Using the joint U.S.-Taiwanese COSMIC-2 satellite network, as well as 37 ground-based radars called ionosodes, the team gathered a massive amount of information during and after the solar storm to get a global map of sporadic E layer activity. "This large amount of data was critical for both detecting the presence of sporadic Es and tracking where they formed as time went by," Liu said. "In our analysis, we found that sporadic Es formed after the main phase of the solar storm, during what we call the recovery phase," Liu added. Related Stories: — The worst solar storms in history — May solar superstorm caused largest 'mass migration' of satellites in history — Space weather: What is it and how is it predicted? First, the team detected sporadic Es at higher latitudes, around the poles. The phenomena slowly extended toward the equator over time. "This propagation characteristic from high to low latitudes suggests that sporadic E layers are most likely caused by the disturbed neutral winds in the E region," Liu said. The researchers want to understand this phenomena because it can disrupt HF (high frequency) and VHF (very high frequency) bands of radio communication, which have important uses in areas such as navigation. With greater insight into activity in the E layer during a geomagnetic storm, the researchers hope to find ways to work around the disruptions. The new paper was published last month in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
