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Mangata chooses Scotland for its new space engineering hub

Prestwick International Aerospace Park will be the new home of Mangata’s research and development, satellite manufacturing, and space system and core network operations.

Mangata thinks Scotland for space

Mangata will create up to 575 jobs at the new hub at Prestwick International Aerospace Park. It’s already home to Scotland’s largest and most established aerospace cluster, featuring 20 global and local companies, including BAE Systems, GE Aviation, Spirit AeroSystems, Woodward and Collins Aerospace, which together employ 4,000 people.

Scotland’s space sector has seen significant growth in recent years and is forecast to generate over £2 billion in revenue by 2030 (according to a study by Scottish Enterprise opens in a new window). This growth has been driven by the commercial responsiveness, affordability, and rich space ecosystem in Scotland.

It’s these factors, combined with the strong research and development base, data science talent and unique collaboration between industry, academia and government, that drew Mangata to our shores.

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.

Mangata is building a global satellite telecommunications network with sustainable, cutting-edge technology. It’s designed to reach and connect any community, anywhere on Earth, removing barriers and inequalities for the four billion people without adequate internet access.

The Prestwick site will support this mission by bringing the firm’s research and development, production and operation facilities together under one roof. Following its launch, it will include a satellite operations centre, as well as a network operations hub to operate the firm’s end-to-end global communications network. Lastly, an R&D base will house and develop the company’s innovative microEdge data centres.

The new location will make the firm more efficient across all aspects of its technology development and operations networks, which is key to bringing customers a cost-effective, state-of-the-art network.

The facility will produce and test more than 24 medium class satellites every three months, and will be able to qualify, integrate and test satellites of up to 1500kg for the space and launch environments.

The fact 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 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.

Investment through shared values, collaboration and innovative funding

Several public sector organisations came together to make Mangata’s move to Prestwick possible. Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish and UK governments and South Ayrshire Council contributed to an innovative funding package that totalled over £83.7 million.

Juliette Neu, Chief Experience Officer at Mangata Networks said:  “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. Everyone is so committed to helping each other. That drive is at the core of our shared values and mission.”

Having a company of Mangata’s calibre and ambition in Scotland is a game-changer for our space sector. Not only will Mangata open up numerous exciting new opportunities for supply chain companies in the space, engineering, manufacturing, and digital and data sectors, but it will also unlock new partnership opportunities for our academic institutes that could yield ground-breaking research, using satellite communications and data.

Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise