Traverse City’s Atlas Space Operations Developing Data Analytics Platform for Space Force

Atlas Space Operations, a ground software-as-a-service (GSaaS) provider based in Traverse City, has announced the award of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop a data analytics platform for the United States Space Force.
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Traverse City's Atlas Space Operations will develop a data analytics program for the U.S. Space Force. // Courtesy of Atlas Space Operations
Traverse City’s Atlas Space Operations will develop a data analytics program for the U.S. Space Force. // Courtesy of Atlas Space Operations

Atlas Space Operations, a ground software-as-a-service (GSaaS) provider based in Traverse City, has announced the award of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop a data analytics platform for the United States Space Force.

The program will see Atlas integrate communications infrastructure and multi-domain command and control systems to deliver enhanced insights regarding space communications through network data analytics.

“The next generation of hybrid networks will be made more resilient through improved insight of system performance,” says Ed McCarty, vice president of client solutions at Atlas. “Resilience is not achieved by simply adding hardware. Greater insight into system performance is crucial in identifying points of friction so users can anticipate problems and address them before they occur.

“The data analytics SBIR will advance network resiliency through predictive analysis and machine learning, and it is only possible through software — this is one way we’re redefining ground-software-as-a-service.”

Atlas will execute the contract by leveraging metric sharing on Freedom software-as-a-service, its space data transfer tool. Using metrics from pass success and equipment performance that are available to Atlas’ clients, the Space Force will gain insight into the performance of ground site hardware, satellites, space communications, and even federated networks.

Atlas’ SBIR development places a strong emphasis on space-based software interoperability to identify opportunities and ensure a resilient on-orbit environment. Atlas recently shared its modern approach to ground systems, which includes a shift from Ground station-as-a-service to GSaaS.

The space communications industry long viewed GSaaS as a hardware-centric offering, but Atlas recognizes the role that software plays for clients of all mission types. By transitioning to GSaaS, Atlas functions as a software-forward company that provides services beyond simple antenna access.