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SWISSto12’s Advances Mission Control Capabilities for HummingSat Launches and Orbit Raise Operations
Facility integrates advanced software, digital twin simulation, and electric orbit-raising operations for upcoming HummingSat missions.
Renens, Switzerland, November 4th, 2025
SWISSto12, one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies and a leading manufacturer of advanced satellite systems and radio frequency products, has today announced new capabilities details regarding its Command-and-Control Center, based in Athens, Georgia, USA. The facility provides the technical infrastructure, software, and operational processes required to manage launch, orbit raising, and in-orbit testing for SWISSto12’s geostationary satellite, HummingSat, before customer handover. In the future, the company plans to further strengthen these capabilities with a redundant Mission Control Capability in Europe.
Since its opening, the Georgia-based center has been equipped with advanced mission control systems designed to support reliable and secure operations. Teams at the facility have completed the integration of the company’s command and control software, developed to meet high standards of redundancy, resilience, and continuous availability. This platform will form the operational backbone for HummingSat missions as they progress toward launch.
“Our Command-and-Control Center is the heart of our HummingSat operations,” said Joe Zaborek, Head of HummingSat Ground Products at SWISSto12. “The integration of digital twin technology allows us to simulate every phase of the mission on the ground, rehearse responses to anomalies, and ensure the satellite performs exactly as expected – giving both our team and customers confidence during deployment.”
Innovation in Mission Control
A key capability of the center is its digital twin environment, which has created a complete virtual model of HummingSat. This system allows operators to simulate mission activities, verify command sequences, and test responses to off-nominal events before they occur in orbit. The digital twin remains synchronized with each spacecraft throughout its operational life, providing continuous insight into system performance and enabling proactive mission management.
The facility will support all-electric orbit raising (EOR), a process using ionized xenon atoms for more efficient fuel usage – a more effective approach for long-term station-keeping operations compared to chemical propulsion.
The center ensures SWISSto12’s HummingSat customers will have sovereignty over their satellite operations through ownership and operational control, with mission rehearsals and anomaly simulations enabling clients to monitor and operate their satellites in real time, maintaining autonomy over mission-critical decisions. The system’s real-time telemetry monitoring gives customers confidence that they can intervene if needed, while still benefiting from SWISSto12’s operational and technical expertise.
Located near major research universities, the Georgia center supports growth and collaboration with local engineering talent. The facility will continue to expand its operational capacity as the company prepares for the first HummingSat deployments in 2027.
A new class of GEO SmallSat
The center will serve as the operational brain for the launch and orbit raising of SWISSto12’s innovative geostationary small satellite, HummingSat. Roughly the size of an industrial washing machine, and weighing approximately 1,000 kilograms, HummingSat is significantly smaller and more cost-efficient than conventional geostationary satellites. Its compact form factor supports cost-effective production and ride-share launch opportunities.
SWISSto12’s proprietary, space-qualified additive manufacturing technology and advanced RF systems further enhance payload performance, streamline production, and reduce both manufacturing time and cost.
“From design to operations, our goal is to make advanced satellite capability accessible and sovereign for our customers” said Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12. “Our mission control center strengthens that vision by giving our customers the infrastructure and expertise they need to support them in managing their own missions confidently and independently.”
SWISSto12 is a leading OEM of advanced satellite RF products, payloads and systems, including the HummingSat: a small yet powerful geostationary telecommunications satellite developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) through its public-private-partnership program. The company’s RF products benefit from unique and patented 3D-printing technologies and associated Radio Frequency (RF) product designs that deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF functionality.
Besides its space portfolio, the company is also active in telecommunications and the aeronautic industry.
SWISSto12 is amongst the fastest growing aerospace companies in the world, with customers including Viasat/Inmarsat, SES/Intelsat, Lockheed Martin and Thales.
SWISSto12 is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors.
For further information, media inquiries, images or interviews, please contact:
ThoughtLDR for SWISSto12
[email protected]
(+44) 7553 600128