KSAT advances global lunar communications network

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is advancing the development of KSAT Lunar, the world’s first commercial lunar communications network. Construction is currently underway near Yuma, Arizona, for the network’s third ground station. This site will host a 20-meter antenna, the first of its kind in the United States to serve the lunar network, and is designed to provide continuous coverage for both robotic and human spaceflight missions.

The Arizona facility is part of a global strategic deployment that includes systems nearing completion in Western Australia and ongoing assembly of a 20-meter antenna in Spain. These three sites are intended to form a resilient network capable of supporting NASA, international partners, and commercial customers as lunar activity increases.

KSAT originally announced its investment in this dedicated lunar communications network in March 2022. The antennas are being procured to meet NASA’s Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) specifications, ensuring the infrastructure can accommodate the growing demands of the lunar economy.