RBC Signals has implemented a significant expansion of the firm’s global ground station network with the acquisition of ten, six-meter, S- and X-band tracking antennas from Microsoft.
These newly acquired assets will be made available to RBC Signals’ government and commercial customers, further enhancing the company’s capabilities in a space communications sector rapidly growing from single digit thousands of satellites to tens of thousands of satellites, supported by increasing launch cadences and larger capacity launch vehicles.
Strategically located across North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, the antennas will bolster RBC Signals’ already robust global network. This expansion will provide increased capacity in the most commonly used frequency bands by small satellites, ensuring greater accessibility and reliability for customers worldwide.
For Microsoft, this divestiture allows it to focus on its core business areas while supporting the growth of its partners in the space communications sector.
The acquisition was financed by a Libra Group aerospace subsidiary, Space Leasing International (SLI), through a sale-and-leaseback arrangement under which SLI will own the assets, while RBC Signals will manage and maintain them under an operating lease. SLI is a key partner in RBC Signals’ mission to deliver high-quality and scalable Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) solutions, that will be available in the Azure Marketplace.
With this addition, RBC Signals strengthens its position as a premier provider of ground station services, supporting the increasing demands of small satellite operators, space agencies, and enterprises relying on real-time and secure space communications.
“These antennas are ideal for our government and commercial customers flying individual satellites as well as constellations in a wide variety of orbits. These orbits include sunsynchronous, mid-latitude low earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO). Additionally, the antennas will support satellites performing rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) in equatorial orbits,” said Ron Faith, CEO of RBC Signals. “By adding these antennas to our network, we are not only expanding capacity but also reinforcing our commitment to enabling the continued growth of the space industry.”
“RBC Signals is a recognized leader in the Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) market, and we are excited that RBC Signals’ GSaaS offering will be available in the Azure Marketplace,” said Douglas Phillips, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft. “This will enable our joint customers to seamlessly integrate their satellite data with Azure’s AI-enhanced cloud capabilities and products, unlocking new insights and accelerating innovation.”