Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our FAQs for quick answers, or reach out to our team for personalized support.
Can a single ground station operate simultaneously on S-band and X-band?
Yes. Communications can be established simultaneously on S-band and X-band (or Ka-band) to enable concurrent TT&C and payload data exchanges.
How can we reserve satellite passes on your network?
Leaf Space offers multiple ways to schedule passes, depending on your operational needs:
- Scheduler – automatically assigns optimal contact windows across the network.
- On-Demand – browse real-time availability via the Leaf Portal or API, select your slot, and confirm in a few clicks.
- Reservation Ahead-of-Schedule – access pass candidates up to 10 days before the standard scheduling cycle and reserve contacts.
- Service Requests – Submit advanced scheduling requirements and the Leaf Line scheduler enforces them automatically.
- First Access – exclusive reservation of one or more ground stations for a customer’s dedicated use, running alongside standard Leaf Line network access.
What does the onboarding process with Leaf Space involve?
A dedicated Mission Manager guides you from contract signature to first pass. You’ll get access to the Leaf Portal, integrate with our APIs and MQTT broker (sandbox included), validate RF compatibility with your onboard radios, and complete licensing — which we handle entirely on your behalf. Once everything checks out, you’re live and fully operational.
The whole process is designed to be fast, guided, and low-effort on your side.
We have two onboarding types: Self-service Onboarding for customers ready to integrate with standard Leaf Line workflows and Assisted onboarding & mission support for customers that need structured coordination, technical alignment or a more customized path to service activation.
RF compatibility can be validated using our proven Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Customers can either:
- Remotely access our GSE to conduct compatibility tests
- Rent our GSE for deployment on their premises and perform on-site validation.
What level of support does Leaf Space provide during LEOP and nominal mission operations?
Leaf Space provides dedicated support throughout the entire mission lifecycle via its online Support Platform.
During nominal mission operations, Leaf Space provides a dedicated Mission Manager supporting your mission throughout its entire lifecycle. Ticketing support is available 12 hours per day, with acknowledgement times of less than one hour and an enhanced support offering currently evolving toward 24/7 coverage.
During LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase), you can benefit from 48 hours of continuous on-deck support, starting from deployment, to ensure critical mission operations run smoothly.
Is customer documentation available and where can we access it?
Yes, you can find more information in the reserved area. Once you receive access to Leaf Space’s Support Platform, you’ll also have access to a dedicated section containing all user documentation.
Which radios are supported?
Leaf Line already supports more than 30 commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) radios, with additional integrations available for custom radio solutions. Contact the Leaf Space team to verify compatibility or discuss your specific requirements.
Which communication protocols and schemes are supported by your network?
Leaf Line supports the widest protocol compatibility on the market. Standard protocols such as CCSDS, DVB-S2, and DVB-S2X are fully supported out of the box. We can also support ACM and VCM. When your mission requires a custom or proprietary waveform, our in-house Software Defined Radio (SDR) suite allows us to integrate new protocols and modulation schemes within weeks — no hardware changes needed.
How does Leaf Space determine the allocation of ground stations to customers?
Since Leaf Space handles both the costs and administrative aspects of ground station licensing, it also manages ground station allocation on behalf of the customer. Our scheduling algorithm automatically assigns passes based on the customer’s required daily capacity, orbital parameters, radio compatibility, licensing status of each station, and overall network resource availability, ensuring efficient, conflict-free coverage across the entire Leaf Line network. While scheduling is automated, customer mission requirements and operational preferences are always taken into account to ensure the service aligns with their specific needs.
. Is Leaf Space taking care of regulatory aspect?
Leaf Space handles the entire ground station RF licensing process on behalf of its customers, including renewals and ongoing maintenance, at no additional cost. Customers only need to provide their ITU filing details, while Leaf Space is available to support ITU-related activities and manages all licensing requirements across the ground stations used for the mission.
How does Leaf provide cybersecurity?
The security of your data is our priority. We take a proactive approach to protect what matters most to you. From robust infrastructure to advanced monitoring, we’ve got your back — ensuring your data stays safe, private, and always ahead of potential threats.
We take the following precautions to keep your data safe and secure:
- Daily Scans for Common Vulnerabilities
- Regular Third-Party Penetration Tests
- Network Segmentation Aligned with ISO/IEC 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework & NIS2 Directive Best Practices
- Access Control for Employees.
- Zero-Trust Architecture & Customer-Managed Encryption
Ready to launch?
Connect your satellite
