Satellite manufacturer Open Cosmos has secured €300m in new funding to expand its satellite manufacturing capabilities and accelerate production across its European operations.
The company, which designs, builds and operates satellites, currently has four manufacturing facilities across Europe and has the capacity to produce one satellite a day. The new investment will support further expansion of its engineering, manufacturing and software teams in the UK, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
Open Cosmos employs close to 400 people across these operations and has secured more than $370m in customer contracts over the past three and a half years.
By bringing together satellites, secure communications and AI-powered data services, we’re creating a system that transforms information from orbit into something that governments and enterprises can act on. This investment allows us to accelerate that vision, satisfying the satellite manufacturing orders that governments and large companies are placing for our reliable and high-performance satellites and delivering the sovereign services the world needs.
Rafel Jorda Siquier, founder and CEO of Open Cosmos
The funding will be used to expand the company’s satellite manufacturing capacity alongside its OpenConstellation, ConnectedCosmos and DataCosmos platforms.
OpenConstellation is a shared satellite network designed to provide faster access to Earth observation data, while ConnectedCosmos provides satellite communications and connectivity. DataCosmos processes satellite imagery and sensor data into operational intelligence.
Open Cosmos has also recently launched next-generation satellites for OpenConstellation, with the network designed to reduce the time needed to deliver Earth observation intelligence from up to 48 hours to as little as 30 minutes. The satellites incorporate onboard AI processing and inter-satellite communications.
Supporting UK space manufacturing
The investment also provides a boost to the UK’s growing space manufacturing sector.
Space Minister Baroness Lloyd said: “This landmark investment represents a major vote of confidence in Open Cosmos and Britain’s growing space sector.
“Our new UK Space Strategy recognises the increasing importance of satellite communications in all our lives, from connectivity to defending our country, and companies like Open Cosmos are vital for advancing that infrastructure.
“Following previous UK government support, it is great to see the company continuing to grow, with investment that will help unlock high-skilled jobs and growth that will benefit people across the UK.”
The investment comes as European governments and businesses increase spending on satellite infrastructure, with Open Cosmos positioning its manufacturing capabilities to meet growing demand for secure communications and Earth observation systems.
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