The antenna was launched on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as part of ATLAS's Ground Station as a Service offering and will enhance the delivery of atmospheric and space weather data to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The new station will receive data from six COSMIC-2 satellites, which use radio occultation to continuously observe the Earth's atmosphere and ionosphere.
Due to the fast-changing nature of atmospheric conditions, timely data delivery is essential. ATLAS ensures that data from its stations reach NOAA in under 60 seconds, a standard the new Rwandan station is designed to uphold.
'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, CEO of 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.'
Rwanda's location offers an ideal number of contact points with the COSMIC-2 satellite constellation, making the site a valuable asset for data reception.
The Mwulire station joins existing COSMIC-2 support sites in Ghana and Tahiti. Its inclusion in the network was made possible through a collaboration with the Rwanda Space Agency, following a direct request from NOAA for expanded capabilities.
ATLAS currently manages over 3,000 satellite contacts each month and has supported more than 156,000 NOAA satellite interactions since July 2019. As of May 31, 2025, the company maintains a ground station availability rate of 99.36%, with data delivery times averaging under 40 seconds.
Founded in Traverse City, Michigan, in 2015, ATLAS Space Operations is a recognised leader in the satellite communications industry, offering its Freedom software platform and a global network of antennas to provide efficient, secure access to space assets worldwide.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
