Government Invests £16m to Help Develop LEO Broadband Satellite Tech

The government has today released a further £16m of public funding from the UK Space Agency’s £160m Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme, which will be used to develop new satellite technologies that can enhance global connectivity by providing “high-speed internet access” (broadband) to remote and underserved areas etc.

The funding is to be split between two innovative projects, starting with 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 (Eutelsat).

Meanwhile, 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.

Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, 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.”

Satellite constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are currently in the process of transforming markets in maritime and aviation connectivity, changing how people communicate as they live and work in some of the remotest places on Earth. The new investment will support that and hopefully provide a boost to the UK’s sizeable space sector in the process.

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.