York Space Systems and Atlas activate second antenna in Rwanda

York Space Systems (NYSE: YSS) and its subsidiary ATLAS Space Operations brought a second S-band antenna at Rwanda's Mwulire teleport into service on September 18, 2026, doubling the number of simultaneous satellite contacts the site can support.

The new antenna is a 3.7-meter receive-only parabolic reflector operating in the 2200–2300 MHz S-band range in both left- and right-hand circular polarization. Its feed hardware is described as S/X-capable, allowing X-band reception to be added without replacing the antenna. According to the companies, it is the first S/X system from M2 Antenna Systems, Inc. to enter service on the ATLAS network.

Mwulire sits approximately two degrees south of the equator at an altitude of 1,668 meters, a position that provides visibility of low-inclination satellites not accessible from higher-latitude ground stations. The site also supports mid-inclination orbit missions.

The antenna is hosted by the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) under an existing hosting agreement with ATLAS. The first antenna at the site entered service in July 2025. During commissioning, the new antenna completed more than 350 scheduled test contacts with a reported 100% completion rate.

Customers on the ATLAS network can schedule contacts at Mwulire through the Freedom platform using existing interfaces, with no additional integration required. The Freedom platform provides access to a network of more than 50 antennas across 20 countries.

"What customers count on is reliable contacts, and this second antenna in Mwulire gives them more of that," said Kristin Rice, Chief Executive Officer at ATLAS Space Operations.

Gaspard Twagirayezu, Chief Executive Officer of RSA, said the addition "strengthens Rwanda's ground infrastructure and expands the capacity available to support space missions from Africa."

ATLAS became a wholly owned subsidiary of York Space Systems in 2025. York is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker YSS.

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