The Satellite Applications Catapult partners with Infostellar to provide improved ground station access
Marketing
The Satellite Applications Catapult and Infostellar have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide UK businesses with enhanced access to the Satellite Applications Catapult’s ground station in Goonhilly, Cornwall.
The Catapult’s ground station is the primary ground location for its In Orbit Demonstration (IOD) programme – a unique service which supports UK business to achieve the launch of satellite data services. By integrating this ground station with Infostellar’s StellarStation service, organisations will be able to remotely access the Goonhilly station for uplink and downlink. The Catapult will also be able to share unused capacity with the StellarStation network to give greater access to their Goonhilly facility for UK companies.
As a result of this collaboration, Infostellar plans to open a UK office at the Satellite Applications Catapult’s Harwell base in 2019. The UK office will focus on business development and regulatory affairs for Infostellar’s international expansion plans in Europe.
With this agreement, the Satellite Applications Catapult continues to support innovative solutions for the small satellite community, as well as continuing to foster strong links between space companies in the UK and Japan.
Stuart Martin, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult said “The Satellite Applications Catapult is thrilled to sign this new agreement with Infostellar. It will enhance our offering for large and small UK companies and make our Goonhilly ground station more available to participants in our In-Orbit Demonstration programme and the wider space community.”
“It is also another excellent example of how the strength of the space sector in the UK continues to generate great interest from innovative international companies.”
For more information contact: Tim Pinchin, Head of Marketing and Communications, Satellite Applications Catapult, tim.pinchin@sa.catapult.org.uk, 07741 195955.
About StellarStation
StellarStation is a quick, flexible ground station aggregator for new space satellite services. After one-time setup, satellite operators can access any ground station across our global network. Ground station owners also have the option of sharing their unused capacity to other operators. www.stellarstation.com.
About the IOD Programme
The In-Orbit Demonstration Programme (IOD) is managed by the Satellite Applications Catapult and funded by Innovate UK and the UK Space Agency. IOD is designed to accelerate the ability of companies to design, build and launch a mission within 12 to 18 months. By reducing the cost of accessing space, each mission provides a critical in-space testbed helping companies de-risk their service attracting customers and stimulating investment.
Successful applicants have the opportunity to show proof of concept on a 3U or 6U CubeSat mission launched from the International Space Station (ISS).
About the Satellite Applications Catapult
The Satellite Applications Catapult is an independent innovation and technology company, created by Innovate UK to drive economic growth through the exploitation of space. We work with businesses of all sizes to realise their potential from space infrastructure and its applications. Based in Harwell, Oxfordshire, the Catapult was established in May 2013 as one of a network of centres to accelerate the take-up of emerging technologies and drive economic impact for the UK. We are a not-for-profit research organisation which is registered as a private company limited by guarantee and controlled by its Board. See sa.catapult.org.uk for more information.
About Infostellar
Infostellar is a satellite communications infrastructure provider developing a quick and flexible ground station network called StellarStation. By lowering barriers to entry in the ground segment, Infostellar empowers newspace startups to build better missions and improve the quality of their service. Founded in 2016, Infostellar is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
For more information, visit www.infostellar.net. Logos and images can be found at www.infostellar.net/news/1/kit.zip.
