Spaceflight Networks’ SmallSat‬ ground station in New Zealand is now fully operational. Photo: Spaceflight Networks

[Via Satellite 10-14-2015] Orbit Communications Systems has completed Spaceflight Networks’ third ground station for small satellites. Located in Invercargill, New Zealand, the station is now fully operational, and joins two other operational stations located in Fairbanks, Ark. and Tukwila, Wash.

Spaceflight is building a network of 12 ground stations to enable low-latency communications for small satellites or constellations for Earth observation and other applications. Orbit was selected as the antenna system provider for the New Zealand ground station, which uses its Gaia 100 product. Spaceflight has also partnered with Spire to leverage the operator’s network of ground stations.

“The small-satellite revolution requires massive improvements in latency, data throughput and operating costs compared to what is available today,” said Jason Andrews, chief executive of Spaceflight. “Bringing the ground station online in New Zealand is another step in executing on our vision to add more capacity across more continents to satisfy the tremendous customer demand.”