Israel satellite firm HiSky has expanded into the UK, backed by £9 million funding by the UK Space Agency to develop cutting-edge space telecoms technology.
The company has established an office in London and a research and development centre at the Harwell science and technology campus, and is set to create over 100 high-tech jobs in London and Oxfordshire.
HiSky, which builds low-cost satellites to provide voice and data to mobile phones, aims to become the world’s first low-cost satellite network operator and enable accessible and affordable satellite communications.
The company will also be looking into integrating and developing 5G networks, in order to become the latest player in satellite coverage for the ‘Internet of Things’, connecting machines and vehicles around the world, including remote areas.
Welcoming the move, Science Minister Chris Skidmore emphasised that “the UK’s world-leading universities, modern regulatory environment, growing research and development and support for UK spaceports make this a great place to build a space business and create the high-skilled jobs of the future”.
The CEO of HiSky, Shahar Kravitz, said: “We are honoured to be partners with the UK Space Agency. It is our privilege to establish the first real low-cost global Virtual Satellite Network and to do it in the UK. hiSky’ s cutting edge technology and solution was developed in order to meet with the consumers’ needs and can easily adjust to different satellite operators, including forthcoming Low Earth Orbit telecoms constellations”.
The establishment of the Israeli company in the UK follows the government’s announcement earlier this month regarding their ambitious plans for the UK to lead the new space age, including bolstering support to enable a small satellite launch and the strengthening of the UK space strategy through the creation of a National Space Council.
