Open Cosmos Receives £5 Million UK Government Funding to Expand Satellite Mission Management and Manufacturing Capabilities

Open Cosmos Receives £5 Million UK Government Funding to Expand Satellite Mission Management and Manufacturing Capabilities

Crypto News – Open Cosmos, the UK’s exclusive provider of comprehensive satellite mission management, has been granted a substantial £5 million project from the UK government‘s esteemed Space Clusters and Infrastructure Fund (SCIF). This significant development follows Open Cosmos’ successful Series B funding round, which raised an impressive $50 million in September of this year, marking the most substantial investment in UK space technology thus far in the year.

The allocation of this funding will enable Open Cosmos to embark on an ambitious expansion of its manufacturing and Research & Development (R&D) capabilities, particularly targeting the microsatellite and constellation markets. Concurrently, the company plans to extend its domain in data commercialization and collaborate with esteemed organizations like Space Park Leicester.

Notably, the UK Space Agency’s SCIF stands as the nation’s premier fund dedicated to space infrastructure, designed to bolster UK organizations at the forefront of making space products mission-ready for commercial markets. This fund not only promises to enhance accessibility, affordability, and utility within the UK’s satellite market but also cements the country’s position as a global leader in the space industry.

In pursuit of expanding its manufacturing capabilities, Open Cosmos will substantially augment its state-of-the-art industrial R&D and manufacturing hub located at the Harwell campus site. This expansion involves the installation of essential testing facilities such as a vibration table and a Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) chamber. These additions are pivotal in accelerating the production pace and accommodating larger satellite builds. In essence, Open Cosmos aims to more than double its current capacity.

Furthermore, this funding initiative will see Open Cosmos fortify its expertise in satellite data and analytics, particularly with regards to DataCosmos. This endeavor will involve fostering robust collaborations with Space Park Leicester, a £100 million space hub established by internationally renowned space experts at the University of Leicester.

Founded in 2015 by Rafel Jorda Siquier, with subsequent contributions from Aleix Megias Homar and Jordi Barrera Ars, Open Cosmos offers end-to-end telecommunications, Earth Observation (EO), navigation, and scientific missions. The company’s comprehensive services span satellite design, construction, launch, and operation through its OpenOrbit offering. It further facilitates data access and sharing for organizations via its shared OpenConstellation infrastructure. Open Cosmos also provides AI-powered data analysis, drawing from an expanding array of satellite sources and analytical partners through its DataCosmos platform.

Open Cosmos empowers organizations worldwide to leverage satellite data to address pressing challenges, including agriculture and logistics monitoring, navigation solutions, deforestation tracking, biodiversity preservation, and more. In times of natural disasters or conflicts, the real-time satellite imagery supplied by Open Cosmos can be instrumental in assessing damage extent and facilitating coordinated relief efforts. Additionally, specialized sensors on Open Constellation satellites are capable of detecting and monitoring oil spills even before they become visible on the ground.

Rafel Jorda Siquier, CEO and founder of Open Cosmos, expressed his enthusiasm for this development, stating, “The UK has consistently pioneered various facets of the global space ecosystem. Initiatives like those by the UK Space Agency and the SCIF enable this pioneering spirit to thrive. This funding will significantly accelerate our mission to democratize access to critical space infrastructure by facilitating the integration of larger payloads onto our satellites.”

In summary, Open Cosmos’ latest funding injection positions the company to make significant contributions to the burgeoning space industry while further solidifying the UK’s status as a space technology leader.