Mangata Networks
announces new space engineering, manufacturing, and
operations hub in Prestwick
Partnership will generate 575
new jobs and is supported by £83.7 million in
collaborative funding
December 6th, 2022
Mangata Networks, has chosen
Scotland as the location for its research &
development activities as well as satellite
manufacturing, space systems and core network
operations.
Over the coming few years, up
to 575 new jobs will be created as part of Mangata’s
state-of-the-art engineering and operations hub for
satellite manufacturing and operations at the
Prestwick International Aerospace Park in Ayrshire.
Deputy First Minister of
Scotland, John Swinney said: “The fact that Mangata
has chosen to base its new satellite manufacturing
facility in Ayrshire is a huge boost for the region,
for the space and manufacturing sectors, and for
Scotland as a whole.
“As well as the substantial,
high-skilled job opportunities, this will open up
new pathways for the satellite manufacturing supply
chain and help position Scotland as a leading centre
for space and manufacturing innovation – while
supporting the aims of our space strategy.”
Brian Holz, Chief Executive
Officer of Mangata Networks, commented: “Scotland,
Ayrshire, the local regions, and the UK have
expressed a lot of confidence in our system and
mission. We are very grateful to be able to locate
Mangata’s core product development, satellite
manufacturing, and network operations teams in a
state-of-the-art facility in Prestwick.
“We will be using this facility
to bring our satellite connectivity and intelligent
Edge compute solutions to enterprises globally.
Today, our customer base has already committed to
over 1.5 Tbps pre-launch, nearing full capacity of
our initial 32 satellites. As the business grows,
Mangata’s network can scale to over 750 satellites.
This factory will be a key enabler, allowing us to
scale and deliver cost-effective space technology
into markets that really need it.”
The hub is supported by an
innovative funding and assistance package from
public sector partners, totalling over £83.7 million
from Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government, UK
Government and South Ayrshire Council. This funding
comprises £54.5 million from Scottish Enterprise and
£29.2 million from the Ayrshire Growth Deal provided
on commercial terms (i.e. this is not grant funding)
that will see this funding repaid over the next 15
years.
Adrian Gillespie, Chief
Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “This
investment has the potential to be a real
game-changer in helping unlock economic
opportunities from the global commercial space
sector. Mangata’s decision to locate this project in
Ayrshire is a strong endorsement of our ability to
support and nurture global industries of the future.
Not only will it bring hundreds of new quality jobs
for the people of Scotland, but it will be a
catalyst for a new supply chain, opening up
opportunities and partnerships both domestically and
internationally.
“We look forward to working
closely with Mangata to bring its state-of-the-art
advanced manufacturing facility to fruition at
Prestwick International Aerospace Park.”
Juliette Neu, Chief Experience
Officer at Mangata Networks, stated: “All the
Scottish organisations involved have been incredibly
supportive of our efforts to bridge the gap in
global connectivity and access. Mangata is
passionate about connecting humanity all around the
world, using the systems we will develop in
Scotland. We saw this same spirit to serve in the
local and global community in our interactions in
Scotland. They are so committed to helping each
other. That drive is at the core of our shared
values and mission.”
Mangata’s new facility will
produce and test more than 24 medium class
satellites every three months, becoming a
significant focal point and asset for the Scottish
and UK space sectors as well as a centrepiece for
technology and innovation. The facility is capable
of qualifying, integrating and testing satellites up
to 1500kg in size for the space and launch
environments. From this engineering hub, the company
will establish an operations centre that will manage
its satellite systems and global network.
The majority of the new jobs
will be highly paid, highly skilled technical
engineering positions in product development,
designing and manufacturing satellites, and
operating the system end-to-end. Construction will
begin in early 2023 with manufacturing and
operations teams set to move in from late 2024.
Mangata is building a global
satellite telecommunications network with
sustainable, cutting-edge technology. It is designed
to reach and connect any community, anywhere on
Earth, removing barriers and inequalities for the up
to four billion people without adequate internet
access. It will support the creation of local
content and enable sharing on a global basis.
Prestwick is already home to
Scotland’s largest and most established aerospace
cluster, and, through the £80 million investment
from the Ayrshire Growth Deal, is now focussed on
taking advantage of the burgeoning global commercial
space market to become the leading centre for
aerospace and space in the UK.
Leader of South Ayrshire
Council, Martin Dowey, commented: “We are delighted
Mangata has chosen to locate in Prestwick and have
great pleasure in welcoming them to South Ayrshire.
We very much look forward to working with them and
seeing the many benefits they bring to our local
communities, beginning with hundreds of jobs.
“This really is fantastic news
as Mangata is exactly the kind of company we want to
attract to South Ayrshire. The global satellite
market is booming, and we aim to be right at the
centre of that with a vibrant and thriving space
sector. This will create high value jobs and
exciting future careers for our young people,
particularly in STEM-related opportunities, but also
in wider support roles.
“The Council has now secured
approval for a significant investment programme to
deliver commercial workspace at Prestwick. This
comprehensive and bold approach gives companies like
Mangata the confidence that we can build Prestwick
as a global space cluster.
“We are already anticipating
the first satellite launches from Prestwick
Spaceport from spring 2024 and, through our highly
ambitious space programme, are set to become
Europe’s premier space hub.”
Larry Schwartz, Chief Operating
Officer at Mangata Networks, stated: “Our Prestwick
facility will include a satellite operations centre
to operate our satellites following their launch.
Our facility will also feature a network operations
centre to operate our end-to-end global
communications network as well as an R&D center to
develop our intelligent microEdge data centres.
Having all of these operations under one roof makes
us extremely efficient across all aspects of our
technology development and operational networks.
This is key to bringing our customers a
cost-effective, state-of-the-art network that
includes an intelligent Edge compute and cloud
service solutions.
“We are looking forward to
working with local universities and companies,
creating partnerships and integrating technology
into our network and product solutions. We will
develop those capabilities in Scotland and help
those partners scale globally, using our network.”
UK Government Minister for
Scotland Malcolm Offord said: "The creation of this
space manufacturing hub will deliver jobs and
investment to Ayrshire and put Scotland at the
forefront of an innovative industry.
"The UK Government is investing
£10 million towards these cutting-edge facilities as
part of our £32 million support for Ayrshire's space
and aerospace programme."
This technology will be
deployed within Scotland where the created network
can be tested with customers and used to incubate
Scottish startups. These startups will benefit from
exposure to Mangata’s investors and will have the
opportunity to showcase their own technologies and
applications, potentially exporting them on a global
basis, through Mangata’s network.
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