Two innovative projects are awarded a share of £16 million from
the UK Space Agency today (3 February) to position the UK at the
forefront of the latest advancements in satellite communications.
The funding will enable UK industry to capture a greater portion
of the satellite mega-constellation market by developing
technology that improves their efficiency and capability. It
comes from the UK Space Agency's Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit
(C-LEO) programme, which will invest up to £160 million in UK
expertise in this area over the next four years.
Satellite constellations are enhancing global connectivity by
providing high-speed internet access to remote and underserved
areas, bridging the digital divide. These constellations are set
to transform markets in maritime and aviation connectivity,
changing how people communicate as they live and work in some of
the remotest places on Earth.
Telecoms Minister Sir said:
The UK has all the cutting edge expertise and technology to
spearhead the latest advancements in satellite communications and
become a leader in this high-tech industry.
These Government backed projects will not only provide
significant advancements in mobile communication, but help to
bridge the digital divide, connecting communities in the most
hard-to-reach areas.
Companies benefitting from this round of funding include
Oxfordshire's EnSilica plc, which will receive £10 million to
develop novel silicon chips and software for a user
terminal. This will be compatible with UK and European
constellations like OneWeb Next Generation.
In Cardiff, Excelerate Technology Ltd will receive £6 million to
develop the small and flexible Mobility and Autonomy Market User
Terminal (MAMUT) which will allow users to choose the operator
and orbit via an app, reducing costs and enhancing global
configurability.
The UK has a growing space sector, with a rich heritage in
satellite design and the operation of large constellations. This
new government funding is crucial to maintaining the UK's
competitive edge during a period of rapid change and growth in
the global space sector.
In 2023, a new record was achieved with the successful launch of
more than 2,900 satellites into space. The majority of these
satellites are part of commercial constellations, which are
expected to expand rapidly. A further 18,000 satellites are
likely to be launched between 2021 and 2031, with
mega-constellations comprising 75% of this total.
This is a significant opportunity for UK industry to secure
high-value contracts within the global supply chain for satellite
constellations, and to assume a leading role in the long-term
growth of the satellite communication sector.
The UK is also a founding member of the European Space Agency
(ESA) and hosts the European Centre for Space Applications and
Telecommunications (ECSAT) in the Harwell Space Cluster. The
C-LEO programme awards funding through two different routes. The
projects announced today are grants awarded directly by the UK
Space Agency, with further contracts from ESA set to follow in
the coming months.
The announcement was made ahead of the UK Space Agency's Ignite Space Conference, to
be held this week at the National Space Centre in Leicester. This
event highlights opportunities for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) to connect with new customers, collaborators,
and investors within the UK's space industry and its supply
chain.
