Ground software as a service company Atlas Space Operations named John Williams as its recent CEO, and opened a government-focused subsidiary, Freedom Space Technologies, the corporate said this week.
Williams joins Atlas Space Operations from Viasat [VSAT] where he served as vp of Real-Time Earth, Viasat’s ground station as a service business line, which Atlas partners with. He has a 21-year profession as an Air Force officer and in addition worked at Booz Allen Hamilton [BAH], ATK Space Systems (now Northrop Grumman [NOC]), and Universal Space Network (now SSC).
“[John Williams’] experience and deep understanding of the space industry make him the best fit for leading Atlas into an exciting and prosperous future. With this addition, we’re confident that Atlas will proceed to excel in providing revolutionary satellite communication solutions and further strengthen our position as an industry leader,” said Brad Bode, co-founder and CTO.
In one other strategic move, the corporate is opening Freedom Space Technologies, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to support the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Security Space organizations, including classified missions. The corporate said this recent subsidiary will help it meet the federal government’s need to make use of industrial capabilities and supply data security, reliability, and responsiveness for presidency agencies.
Atlas Space Operations offers the Freedom ground network software management system and has a worldwide network of 30 operational and planned antennas. The corporate raised a $26 million Series B round in August of 2022.