ATLAS Space Operations to Support Blue Origin’s Blue Ring DarkSky-1 Mission
May 01 2024 - 3:01AM
Business Wire
Blue Origin has selected ATLAS Space Operations, the largest
U.S.-owned and operated federated ground network, to provide ground
segment support for their upcoming Blue Ring mission,
DarkSky-1.
Announced October 2023, Blue Ring provides end-to-end services
that span hosting, transportation, refueling, data relay, and
logistics in medium earth orbits (MEO), geostationary orbits (GEO),
lunar orbits, and beyond.
Blue Origin and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) recently announced
DarkSky-1, a mission that will demonstrate flight systems,
including space-based processing capabilities, telemetry, tracking
and command (TT&C) hardware, and ground-based radiometric
tracking.
To meet the radio frequency (RF) requirements of this and future
cislunar and lunar Blue Ring missions, ATLAS will leverage a number
of its highly capable seven-meter antennas across a strategic
global footprint.
In a statement regarding Blue Ring’s DarkSky-1 mission, ATLAS
Director of Commercial Solutions Paige Cooley said, “There is no
margin for error when supporting a mission such as DarkSky-1. In
addition to meeting link budget requirements and offering broad
geographic coverage, we emphasize extensive mission assurance
measures in our solution through ATLAS-in-a-box testing during the
integration process. We’re honored that Blue Origin has entrusted
us with such a vital role in the success of this endeavor.”
AIB (ATLAS-in-a-box) testing is the culmination of ATLAS’
integration process which involves establishing RF communication
with their customer’s satellite or high-fidelity emulator on the
ground. The result of this testing is proven communication
compatibility between the spacecraft and the ground station weeks
to months before the spacecraft launches.
“Blue Ring’s collaboration with ATLAS’ hybrid space architecture
will demonstrate enhanced space mobility and operations for
commercial, civil, and national security customers,” said Paul
Ebertz, Senior Vice President of Blue Origin’s In-Space Systems.
“Together, these advanced systems represent a leap forward in
ensuring reliable, adaptable, and efficient access to space for a
broad range of missions.”
Blue Ring is part of Blue Origin’s mission to build a road to
space and enable millions of people to live and work in space for
the benefit of Earth.
“Blue Origin is a great company whose ambitions for space are
truly matched by their ingenuity and expertise. Adding value to
missions like Blue Ring is why ATLAS was founded. It’s exciting to
contribute to initiatives that will someday be remembered as having
altered the course of humanity,” said John Williams, CEO of
ATLAS.
About ATLAS Space Operations:
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 the World Teleport Association. Additionally, 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. Lastly, Aerospace & Defense Review acknowledged
ATLAS as one of the Top Satellite Solutions Providers. ATLAS
combines the Freedom™ Software Platform and its global antenna
network to achieve its mission of securing space access anytime,
anywhere. To learn more, visit atlasspace.com.
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Dan Carey Marketing Director, ATLAS Space Operations +1 (402)
314-9913 dcarey@atlasspace.com