Ground station-as-a-service (GSaaS) firm KSAT is launching a fleet of in-orbit ground stations dubbed "Hyper" to provide inter-satellite connectivity.

Announced this week, Hyper is described as “orbiting ground stations designed to drastically reduce latency.”

Details of the new satellite fleet haven’t been shared.

The company said the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) fleet will enable low-latency connectivity, allowing satellites to use Hyper machines to relay information to Earth when not above ground station sites.

“In connecting space and Earth, near-real-time services have always been a key priority for KSAT,” said Arnulf Kjeldsen, EVP of strategy and technology at KSAT. “Hyper will reduce the latency for EO data to a minimum and ensure data becoming actionable, significantly increasing its value for the satellite owner and the end user. This is particularly vital for missions for maintaining strategic surveillance and situational awareness.”

KSAT said Hyper will relay data through space-based nodes to KSAT’s global ground network. The company said this can ensure continuous connectivity and bypass unforeseen events on the ground. Customers can also specify downlink locations on sovereign soil, reinforcing data sovereignty and security.

KSAT’s ground station network includes more than 40 locations hosting 200 multi-mission antennas worldwide. The company recently announced it was integrating Amazon’s ground stations into its networks.

The company has been working on Hyper for several years, mentioning the project in its 2023 annual report.

GSaaS provides satellite operators with access to ground stations on a pay-per-use basis, allowing multiple users to book time and capacity on shared antennas, as opposed to buying their own. Startup GSaaS providers include Leaf Space, RBC Signals, and Infostellar.