London-based Blue Skies Space has raised £2m in a funding round to support the launch of its new data analytics satellite.
The company specialises in gathering scientific data through space technology. Blue Skies Space is currently working towards the launch of Mauve a satellite equipped with sensors to measure ultraviolet wavelength in stars.
Monitoring this activity will help scientists “understand the impact of powerful stellar flares on exoplanets and the prospects of harbouring life” according to co-founder and CEO Dr Marcell Tessenyi.
“Our fleet of small, agile satellites enables scientists to quickly initiate new areas of science faster than ever before while complementing the larger facilities built by government agencies, which are in huge demand and often heavily oversubscribed,” Tessenyi added.
Scientists and research groups can access data collected by Blue Skies Space technology via an annual membership.
The company said with the new funding secured, it is targeting a launch for Mauve by “early 2025”. It will also accelerate the deployment of other satellites currently in development.
The funding round came from Japan’s SPARX Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and SFC Capital.
Tadashi Kito from SPARX said Blue Skies Space’s “unique data service will bring exciting new opportunities for space research and be the first commercial offering in a landscape only served by governments today”.
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