Satellite base headed for Prestwick in Scotland

A global satellite services company has announced its new research and development base will be built in Prestwick, Scotland. 

Mangata Networks, an Arizona based company founded in 2020, will be opening the site at the Prestwick International Aerospace Park in the Ayrshire area. The startup says the site will host satellite manufacturing, space systems, and core network operations and create up to 575 new jobs. 

John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, 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.’ 

A proposed look for the Mangata Network site in Prestwick

The town, which is about 30 miles away from Glasgow, has already become a hub for space activity in Scotland, with Prestwick Spaceport looking to see its first commercial rocket launches by spring 2024. 

Over 50% of Scotland’s aerospace workforce are based in the town working for major companies such as BAE Systems, Spirit Aerosystems and GE Caledonian.

Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Martin Dowey, said: ‘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.’ 

Mangata’s new site is partially funded by an assistance package from Scottish Enterprise and the Ayrshire Growth Deal, with funding provided on commercial terms that mean it will be repaid over the next 15 years. 

The Chief Executive Officer of Mangata Networks, Brian Holz, said: ‘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.’ 

Construction on the site will begin early next year with the company expecting the manufacturing and operations teams to move in around late 2024. The facility is designed to produce and test over 24 ‘medium class satellites’ every three months.

Investment into the space industry across the UK has improved this year with major developments such as Spaceport Cornwall receiving the UK’s first spaceport license.

Photos: Mangata Networks