FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, September 7, 2023 -- Viasat UK Ltd., a subsidiary of global communications company Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), and Oxford Space Systems (OSS) announced a new collaboration to jointly explore the creation of new satellite communications technology and capability to better support dismounted soldiers or other users, such as disaster recovery and aid workers, that need fast access to high capacity communications networks. Specifically, the collaborative work will focus on the research and development of a new low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) terminal that is both easy to use and rapidly deployable for users operating on the ground in austere environments. Research has shown carrying large and heavy equipment can impact mission effectiveness and user mobility, increase injury risks and even the ability to effectively perform other duties.
As part of the collaboration, the organizations will research the system requirements and design needed to deliver a terminal that can deliver Ka-band high speed satellite communications (SATCOM) while also reducing the physical transport burden on warfighters or other users with a low SWaP terminal solution compared to current military and commercial terminals. The work will build on current research being done by OSS and the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) on C-band deployable antennas, however, the new work will focus on developing a smaller and higher performance Ka-band antenna. Viasat is expected to provide the network, terminal certification, RF equipment, and system engineering support for the development of this innovative terminal that will appeal to customers in the UK and export markets.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Oxford Space Systems to examine how we can better deliver a high-speed and ruggedised SATCOM solution that also addresses the real operational need to reduce the weight of land terminals soldiers carry,” said Hisham Awad, managing director of Viasat UK. “We believe OSS expertise and innovation with deployable antennas will combine with Viasat’s experience in advanced networks and integration to develop a low cost, high-performance and highly portable SATCOM solution that can literally ease the burden on users’ shoulders.”
“This research and development collaboration will allow us to build our relationship with Viasat in the UK and expand how we bring our innovations in space antennas to directly support the creation of solutions on the ground. Our collective development experience will accelerate the understanding and delivery of technology that is more cost-effective and lightweight while still providing the high-speed performance users need,” said Sean Sutcliffe CEO of Oxford Space Systems.
Viasat and OSS are both part of the Harwell Space Cluster, located at Harwell Science and Innovation campus in the UK. The partnership will also explore other areas of mutual interest where the complimentary expertise and experience across both organizations can be used to address real-world obstacles through additional research and the development of new solutions.
You can visit the Viasat website for more information on its fleet of SATCOM terminal solutions for defense users and visit the Oxford Space Systems website to learn more about its work and products on deployable antennas for space.
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. On May 30, 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.
About Oxford Space Systems
Oxford Space Systems is a venture capital backed, growth stage space technology business founded in 2013 with a vision to be the global leader in deployable antennas for Space. The company continues to grow rapidly in response to commercial contracts secured and currently employs over 70 staff. Oxford Space Systems moved into its own custom-built facility on the Harwell Campus in October 2018. Oxford Space Systems has established a metal mesh manufacturing facility at their Harwell Science and Innovation Campus base, manufacturing foldable surfaces for their reflector antennas.. In January 2023 Oxford Space Systems opened a new manufacturing facility in Abingdon, Oxfordshire to support its ambitious growth plans. The primary objective of this new facility is to scale up internal capability to manufacture composite materials and components for deployable antennas. This will accelerate the company’s industrialisation plan to deliver batches of antennas for customers’ satellite constellation programmes.
Copyright © 2023 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat signal are registered trademarks of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Viasat, Inc. Contacts
Dan Bleier, Public Relations, Government Systems, +1 (202) 383-5074, daniel.bleier@viasat.com
Paul Froelich/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include among others, statements related to the collaboration with Oxford Space Systems; potential development and performance of a new low size, weight, and power satellite communications terminal for soldiers; benefits and capabilities of the terminal; and Viasat’s expected support in the development. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: changes in the focus or structure of the agreement between Viasat and Oxford Space Systems; contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays, regulatory issues, technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; research and funding opportunities with the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory; and increased competition and other factors affecting the government and defense sectors generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.