Episode Summary:
Today, I am speaking with Brad Bode, CTO & CIO at ATLAS Space Operations, which is a ground software as a service company. In this episode, Brad and I talk about what Atlas Space Operations does, why ground segment is so underappreciated, how EO companies work with ground segment, the difference between ground station as a service and ground software as a service, the entry of Microsoft and AWS into this space and what it means and more.
Episode Notes:
Today, I am speaking with Brad Bode, CTO & CIO at ATLAS Space Operations, which is a ground software as a service company. Ground segment is an area of the space industry which really doesn’t get a lot attention, despite the fact that it is the bridge between data acquired in space and data collected on Earth. So, I had Brad on the podcast to discuss the state of ground segment and the impact on EO sector.
In this episode, Brad and I talk about what ATLAS Space Operations does, why ground segment is so underappreciated, how EO companies work with ground segment, the difference between ground station as a service and ground software as a service, the entry of Microsoft and AWS into this space and what it means and more.
ATLAS Space Operations – Website
Brad Bode – LinkedIn
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01:08: Intro
06:19: Overview of ATLAS Space Operations
14:54: What does the status quo for ground segment in EO look like?
22:44: Why is the ground segment appreciated?
25:48: Ground station as a service vs ground software as a service
33:12: What does the entry of Microsoft and AWS mean for the ground segment?
38:10: What does EO companies look for from the ground segment? Latency, and what else?
43:07: One thing people will be shocked to learn about the state of the ground segment
The space industry faces a critical issue where ground software engineering contracts are often awarded to companies lacking the necessary expertise in ground systems. This misallocation results in poorly designed systems and high maintenance costs. To resolve this, ground systems must be recognized as essential infrastructure, demanding dedicated expertise and a clean architectural approach.
Finnish NewSpace company NorthBase and ATLAS Space Operations have partnered to enhance satellite ground station services in Finnish Lapland. The new NorthBase Muonio site joins the ATLAS Freedom network, improving global antenna access and providing significant coverage capabilities, especially with the 3.9 meter S/X band antenna in a secure location.
ATLAS Space Operations, a leading GSaaS provider for satellite communications, is to be acquired by York Space Systems, marking a significant milestone for its founders and investors. The acquisition, pending FCC approval, aims to enhance growth, job creation, and innovation within the Traverse City community while maintaining ATLAS’s operations and brand.
York Space Systems, a defense technology company transforming how the United States builds and operates space-based capabilities, today announced that its parent company has agreed to acquire ATLAS Space Operations, a pioneer in Ground Software as a Service (GSaaS) for satellite communications. The move brings York a powerful, software-led ground architecture that simplifies operations, removes integration barriers, and enhances space-to-ground resilience—accelerating York’s ability to deliver secure, mission-ready space systems at unmatched speed and value.
