Virtual ground systems aren’t just for greenfield projects, and ATLAS Space Operations proved it when they chose Kratos to modernize existing sites in their global network. ATLAS leveraged software-based downlink and TT&C capabilities for a more agile, responsive customer experience in a highly competitive market.
In this session, moderator Richard Hooper of Satellite Evolution Group hosts Matt Langenbahn of Kratos and Brad Bode of ATLAS Space Operations to explore the industry’s decisive shift toward software-defined ground systems. As satellite missions proliferate, the panel discusses how “softwareization” and virtualization have become the de facto standard, allowing operators to treat modems as applications and deploy new capabilities in hours rather than weeks. The conversation delves into the critical benefits of this modern architecture, including the ability to leverage commercial computing advancements for future-proofing and the necessity of decoupling software from hardware to meet evolving security standards like NIST 800-53 and Zero Trust.
