Via Satellite archive photo

The U.K. government will invest another 30 million pounds in satellite connectivity projects based in the U.K. as part of the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit, or C-LEO, program.

The funding is intended to support advanced satellite capabilities focused on data processing and data assurance. It is part of a government initiative to encourage U.K. satellite companies for economic growth and national security. Space Minister Liz Lloyd announced the funding plans this week during Space-Comm Expo in London.

The first C-LEO funding call supported three projects with 18 million pounds ($24 million) in funding. These projects involved eight U.K. companies including Excelerate Technology and EnSilica. The funding went to projects focused on developing user terminals, active antennas, and on-board regenerative processors.

The new investment will help companies move their technologies from the testing phase to being ready for use in real missions, which the U.K. government said will position them to win future contracts with major satellite network operators.

“Space is now the cornerstone of our modern economy. Satellite constellations have revolutionized how we operate, digitalizing industries, optimizing logistics and connecting all corners of the globe. This new funding will support the development of smarter satellites with better hardware, the use of AI to make data delivery faster, and improved connections between spacecraft,” Lloyd said in a statement.