Gaia-100 tracking antenna. Photo: Orbit Communications.

Orbit Communications Systems announced that it has signed a framework agreement with a global leader in emergency readiness and response for multiple ground stations tracking Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites. Orbit has received initial orders for its Gaia 100 remote-sensing systems for search and rescue applications in Europe and Southeast Asia, with deployment expected in 2017.

Gaia 100 is a small-footprint series of remote-sensing ground stations for real-time data capture from LEO or MEO satellites. Built to withstand harsh environmental conditions, its key features include: cost-efficiency over legacy ground stations; compact size, low weight and a ruggedized radome; and support for 2.4- to 4.5-meter antennas, according to Orbit.

Orbit stated that the organization with which it has partnered provides turnkey solutions for search and rescue awareness, and has installed approximately half of the world’s search and rescue satellite ground infrastructure.