RF startup AnySignal has formalized its partnership with bus manufacturer Apex, enabling customers to integrate AnyLink network radios and software directly into their purchase of Apex spacecraft platforms. The agreement marks a shift from ad-hoc integration to a standardized offering, aiming to simplify the complex process of establishing ground segment capabilities for commercial operators.
What Happened
The partnership, which dates back to Apex’s earliest missions, was solidified after AnyLink technology was proven across multiple Apex flights. According to AnySignal cofounder and CEO John Malsbury, the move was driven by the desire to make operations easier for customers who already use the underlying software components. "It just became an obvious thing to do once it was well proven," Malsbury told Payload. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though AnySignal continues to sell AnyLink to other bus manufacturers.
The collaboration offers customers optional telemetry, tracking, and command capabilities, providing a single provider for mission design through on-orbit operations. Apex CEO Ian Cinnamon noted that while customers currently use various ground options, integrating the ground segment into Apex’s offering can significantly streamline mission operations for those who prefer a consolidated approach. AnyLink aggregates ground networks from providers including KSAT, Leaf Space, and RBC Signals into a single optimized path, functioning similarly to a mobile phone roaming between towers without user intervention.
Why It Matters
This partnership highlights a growing trend in the small satellite industry toward simplifying the traditionally fragmented process of satellite operations. Malsbury compared the standard industry practice—buying a radio from one vendor, leasing ground segments from another, and securing separate FCC licenses—to having to manage a cellular phone plan with such complexity. By bundling these services, AnySignal and Apex aim to reduce the operational burden on customers, potentially accelerating deployment times for commercial constellations.
AnySignal’s relevance extends beyond commercial sales. The company, which employs approximately 80 people in Torrance, CA, and raised a $24M Series A in December, has secured two Space Force awards this year. In March, the Space Force selected AnySignal for Project RAIDEN, a system designed to sense jamming and autonomously shift frequencies. In August, the company was tapped to demonstrate satellite-to-satellite links for moving sensor data in near-real time. Malsbury described the DoD’s interest as efficient procurement, noting that the military is buying the existing commercial platform and updating it via software.
The Bottom Line
AnySignal’s integration into Apex’s bus offerings represents a strategic consolidation of RF and ground segment services, backed by recent validation from both commercial missions and Department of Defense contracts. The move positions AnyLink as a streamlined alternative to traditional, multi-vendor ground segment arrangements.