A startup developing a flat panel satellite antenna for aircraft which will give enhanced in-flight connectivity is to establish a new laboratory and workshop in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Celestia Technologies Group UK (CTG UK) is developing the fully electronic scanning antenna for use with satellite-based aircraft wi-fi applications after receiving a £2.5m (US$3.1) R&D award from Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national economic development agency.
The flat panel antenna will link with with a communication satellite and will incorporate multi-beam and phased-array technology. The proposed design will be electronically steered and will offer improved communications and connectivity performance for a new generation of low and medium orbit satellites.
The company, which is a UK subsidiary of the Dutch company Celestia Technologies Group is recruiting engineers to work in the areas of antenna technologies, software defined radio, radio frequency engineering and system design.
CTG UK is establishing its base at Heriot-Watt University’s Research Park, the largest science park in Scotland’s capital, where it is setting up a lab and assembly facilities to test and validate a prototype of the antenna.
José Alonso, chairman ofCTG UK’s parent company, Celestia Technologies Group, said, “We moved to Heriot-Watt University in January 2020, having chosen Scotland because of its burgeoning space sector, which is characterised by a high level of skill, R&D and investment.
“The enterprise team has been hugely supportive from day one, providing a highly collaborative environment for us as a dynamic, young tech start-up. They have played a key role in helping us establish our business in Edinburgh and, in particular, in strengthening our links with the University and local businesses.
“To fuel our growth, we’re able to build a team from talent on the doorstep at Heriot-Watt and other universities, as well as from professionals within the Scottish space industry who value the location, facilities and beautiful environment of the Research Park.”
CTG UK is recruiting for 18 jobs positions in antenna technologies, software defined radio, radio frequency engineering and system design.
