ATLAS Space Operations, a global leader in cloud-based space communications solutions, has announced $26 million in Series B Funding led by Mitsui and Co., Ltd. The investment round reaffirms confidence in ATLAS' Ground Software as a Service (G-SaaS) approach as a critical solution within the space economy.

The funding round is a part of strategic initiatives for both Mitsui and ATLAS. For ATLAS, this investment accelerates its plan for international growth, as well as its Ground Software as a Service business model. This is ATLAS' industry disruptive software (Freedom) solution which integrates complex disparate networks for government and commercial clients across a federated network.

For Mitsui, its investment in ATLAS further demonstrates the corporation's commitment to its space portfolio. Mitsui has identified an area of focus for innovative companies that provide services to satellite operators.

In 2018, Mitsui acquired a minority stake in BlackSky Global followed by an acquisition of Spaceflight, Inc, a U.S. satellite rideshare service provider, in 2020. The investment in ATLAS advances Mitsui's position in the space industry as one of its new targeted growth areas.

Sean McDaniel, ATLAS Co-founder and CEO, stated, "A strategic partnership with Mitsui validates ATLAS' position as a global leader in satellite communications services. This investment well capitalizes the company to accelerate growth in key areas of commercial and US government markets for which our services are in high demand.

"With this new partnership, ATLAS can expand its team to provide enterprise-level Ground Software as a Service solutions for the DoD Hybrid Space Architecture while increasing our market share in the private sector with our low risk, high-end services."

Kazutomi Shigeeda, General Manager of Space Business Department in Mitsui, stated, "This investment in ATLAS expands our space business as a service provider for satellite operators. We strongly believe that ATLAS Ground Software as a Service can maximize the value of the ground stations and integrate other governmental and commercial ground station networks.

"In the future, we consider that ATLAS will be able to integrate satellite data relay networks as part of its own network, and it will lead us to the next generation satellite-ground communication infrastructure business. In order for ATLAS to achieve its vision, we will support its growth in collaboration with our space business portfolio and by utilizing Mitsui's industrial network."

Mitsui is joined in this funding round by investments including Beringea, as well as investments from foundational investors: Boomerang Catapult, Rise of the Rest, VCapital, Northern Michigan Angels, Harmonix, Wakestream, and Grand Ventures. The continued interest and commitment from investors is a testament to the critical link ATLAS provides in connecting humanity through space.

Related Links
ATLAS Space Operations
Read the latest in Military Space Communications Technology at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Compact QKD system paves the way to cost-effective satellite-based quantum networks
Hefei, China (SPX) Aug 19, 2022
Researchers report an experimental demonstration of a space-to-ground quantum key distribution (QKD) network using a compact QKD terminal aboard the Chinese Space Lab Tiangong-2 and four ground stations. The new QKD system is less than half the weight of the system the researchers developed for the Micius satellite, which was used to perform the world's first quantum-encrypted virtual teleconference. The demonstration represents an important step toward practical QKD based on constellations of sma ... read more