Denver – October 01, 2026 -- Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is constructing its third lunar communications ground station near Yuma, Arizona, advancing the world's first commercial lunar communications network toward full operational status.
Arizona site marks first US 20-meter antenna for KSAT Lunar network
The Yuma location will host the first 20-meter antenna in the United States dedicated to the KSAT Lunar network, which is designed to deliver continuous communications coverage between Earth and the Moon. Site preparation and foundation work are currently underway at the facility.
Three sites in US, Australia and Spain near simultaneous completion
The Arizona build complements two other stations: a system nearing completion in Western Australia, where testing is set to begin shortly, and a site in Spain, where assembly of the 20-meter antenna is in progress. Together, the three locations form a globally distributed network intended to provide resilient, continuous lunar connectivity.
Network meets NASA's LEGS specification for lunar missions
KSAT procured three 20-meter-diameter antennas engineered to meet NASA's Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) specifications, supporting full transmit and receive capability in X- and Ka-band. The company first announced its investment in the dedicated lunar network in March 2022.
Site selection weighed environmental, technical and economic factors
KSAT chose the Yuma location after evaluating environmental, technical, and economic criteria to secure a site capable of supporting both robotic and human spaceflight missions. The facility has capacity to accommodate additional antennas as demand from the lunar economy increases.
Dan Adams, General Manager of KSAT, Inc., said the company is turning its lunar economy vision into operational reality, with all three sites on track to support NASA, international partners, and commercial customers as lunar activity accelerates.