Open Cosmos, a British satellite manufacturer supported by the UK government’s defence venture capital fund, has secured €300 million in funding to expand its space infrastructure capabilities. The Oxfordshire-based company specialises in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which provide real-time data services to governments and organisations across various sectors.
Founded by Spanish engineer Rafel Jorda Siquier, Open Cosmos emphasises the growing significance of space infrastructure, likening its importance to energy, digital networks, and transportation. Siquier highlighted the value of continuous intelligence and connectivity in enhancing defence, security, agriculture, energy, logistics, and mining operations. “Being able to have all that intelligence in real time will make a huge difference,” he said.
The investment from the National Security Strategic Investment Fund aligns with a broader increase in global venture capital backing for space ventures, which reached $11.3 billion in the first half of 2026, surpassing the $10.1 billion recorded for the entire year of 2025. Over the past four years, Open Cosmos has secured over $370 million in contracts and reported five consecutive years of profitability.
The UK government updated its space strategy earlier this year to reflect the sector's rising importance. Baroness Lloyd of Effra, the UK space minister, described the latest investment as a “major vote of confidence” in both Open Cosmos and Britain’s expanding space industry. She added that the funding would support the creation of high-skilled jobs and contribute to economic growth.
Open Cosmos operates from the Harwell Campus, a key hub for the UK space sector. When the company was established 11 years ago, there were only a handful of space firms in the UK. Today, that number has grown to nearly 200. Siquier attributed the company’s success to the UK’s supportive environment, combining government backing with access to talent and a culture of entrepreneurship.
Unlike some satellite companies targeting consumer markets, Open Cosmos focuses on business-to-business and business-to-government clients. Siquier stressed that many terrestrial communication needs can be met by land-based operators, but the company’s satellites augment these services without requiring the deployment of thousands of satellites. This stands in contrast to firms like SpaceX’s Starlink, which operates over 10,000 satellites aimed at direct consumer connectivity.
Open Cosmos has launched 16 satellites so far and currently has the capacity to produce four satellites weekly from manufacturing facilities in the UK, Portugal, Spain, and Greece. With a rapidly growing market, Siquier expressed optimism about future prospects, citing expanding contract sizes and emerging opportunities as key drivers for growth. “The space market is rocketing right now,” he noted.