Oxford Space Systems has successfully completed a £3 million equity investment round, having achieved an impressive trajectory, with revenues tripling, successful space antenna deployments as well as an increase in employee numbers from 50 to 87. The company has identified further opportunities to expand its product portfolio, exploring high-growth opportunities in satellite communication markets, both in space and on the ground.
The company has secured partner and grant funding which, together with this growth capital equity round, will enable execution of development plans for these opportunities..
Specific projects identified by the company include variants of the successful Wrapped Rib Synthetic Aperture Radar antenna architecture, a Hinged Rib high frequency antenna for intersatellite communications and a terrestrial antenna for rapid deployment/high performance connectivity. These products all have a range of both commercial and defence and security applications to enable high performance, cost effective capabilities from space across earth observation, telecoms and security applications.
Potential applications of the Hinged Rib antenna include data relay from EO satellites in LEO to high capacity GEO satellites and subsequent down link to secure ground stations. The terrestrial antenna will be ultra lightweight to better support dismounted soldiers or other users, such as disaster recovery and aid workers, that need fast access to high capacity communications networks.
Sean Sutcliffe, Chief Executive of Oxford Space Systems, comments on the round, “This growth round will enable us to develop high-potential products and expand our market reach beyond that previously envisaged. We are pleased that UKI2S has been able to provide significant support for this growth funding, alongside our other investors, and recognize that these outstanding products can help the UK and its allies and partners address their future requirements in an innovative and cost effective way. This is also enabling us to build on our deployable antenna product development and manufacturing capabilities at our Harwell and Abingdon facilities, showcasing a commitment to UK technology advancement and innovation. Oxford Space Systems is set to play a vital role in the space industry, increasingly crucial for the economy and national security.”