Pitch for Investment

Oxford Space Systems

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Introduction

How do you become the global leader in deployable antennas for space? Create a range of low cost, high performance, unfurlable antennas offering global coverage and redundancy.

Oxford Space Systems (OSS) is bringing to market a new generation of deployable antennas and structures for space. Using innovative lightweight materials such as woven metal mesh and clever engineering stowage techniques, the OSS has developed antennas which are up to 10x lighter and smaller than those developed by large Primes (large scale, government-facing contractors) — and at a lower cost and faster pace.

The OSS mission — to provide effective solutions today for the space based services of the future — is in full swing, having already achieved flight heritage with its helical and Yagi antennas. OSS have also successfully deployed AstroTube™ Boom aboard missions such as AlSat-Nano (AlSat-1N) in conjunction with the UK Space Agency, and RemoveDEBRIS with SSTL and Airbus.

With competitive prices, global capabilities, increased stowage efficiency, reduced complexity and mass savings, OSS is supporting organisations all over the world, across a number of different sectors. These organisations can use OSS antenna constellations for a variety of applications, including IoT communications, maritime tracking, intersatellite links and 5G integration.

Now employing over 100 knowledge workers, OSS is a crown jewel in the UK’s burgeoning space sector, enhancing national capability with products suited to emerging market’s needs.

The Science

The OSS product portfolio is constantly evolving, using “proven scalable technologies across the range to provide robust, reliable and highly capable antenna solutions.” The team is developing a range of scalable, helical, single-shot deployable antennas, using novel, origami-inspired engineering techniques. These antennas can be configured to meet a broad range of mission requirements.

“Yagi is a very high frequency (VHF), high gain, directional antenna designed to maximise stowage efficiency. Yagi antennas are primarily designed to meet the requirements of satellite Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) missions providing maritime tracking services.”

Alongside its deployable Hinged Rib antenna, which offers stowage efficiency and high performance, OSS is working on “an innovative SAR reflectarray antenna which is designed to achieve a relatively large aperture from a small, stowed volume.”

UKI2S Impact

£1.5 million

total UKI2S investment

£24.62 million

total capital (equity and grants) raised to date

£150,000

initial UKI2S investment as early-stage backers

Sean Sutcliffe, CEO of OSS said:

“This growth round will enable us to develop high-potential products and expand our market reach beyond that previously envisaged. We are pleased that UKI2S has been able to provide significant support for this growth funding, alongside our other investors, and recognise that these outstanding products can help the UK and its allies and partners address their future requirements in an innovative and cost effective way. This is also enabling us to build on our deployable antenna product development and manufacturing capabilities at our Harwell and Abingdon facilities, showcasing a commitment to UK technology advancement and innovation.”

With its enterprising and innovative spirit, OSS is a great example of a company fit to thrive in a growing market. Having provided high level support during the tech development stages as early-stage backers, UKI2S is delighted to offer ongoing support to OSS, alongside a range of high-calibre co-investors, like IQ Capital, Longwall and Foresight Group.

Since our initial portfolio investment, we’ve helped OSS to obtain support from NSSIF, DASA and now funding from our Defence & Security Portfolio.

UKI2S has been a board observer since the start of the partnership, helping to make introductions and add value where possible. As well as introducing Sean Sutcliffe as CEO, to bring over 25 years of experience and leadership spanning the chemical, energy and defence industries.

Endorsed by customers including Airbus, Space Norway and FFI (Norwegian Defence Research Establishment), OSS has further proven its value as a Top 10 finalist of NASA’s iTEch 2019 Cycle 1, MacRobert Award finalist at the Royal Academy of Engineering and The Arthur C. Clarke ‘Space Achievement Team Award’ for its outstanding contributions to space activities in the UK.

Having supported the company as early-stage backers when the space sector was still very nascent, UKI2S is proud of the OSS team who continue to innovate and evolve in a competitive and constantly changing environment. We’re excited to see where OSS goes next!

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