A Northallerton-based space technology company has been praised by Rishi Sunak after securing €250,000 in European Space Agency funding for a project exploring how satellites could help monitor green hydrogen infrastructure.
The Richmond and Northallerton MP visited AmbaSat at its Garthway Arcade premises to see the company’s latest developments and hear about its growing work with the European Space Agency (ESA).
During the visit, Mr Sunak met co-founder and chief executive Martin Platt and members of the engineering team, who demonstrated satellite communications and monitoring technology.
The company has secured the €250,000 funding in partnership with Teesside University to investigate how satellite technology could be used to monitor green hydrogen infrastructure.
AmbaSat is also working with regional businesses to develop multi-orbit communications technology designed to provide reliable connections in remote locations.
Meanwhile, a collaboration with Newcastle University is exploring the potential use of artificial intelligence and quantum technologies in future satellite applications.
The visit was Mr Sunak’s second to the company, having first met Mr Platt in 2022.
Since then, AmbaSat has expanded its engineering team and developed new projects with the ESA, creating opportunities for graduates and engineers in North Yorkshire.
Mr Sunak said: “We have some brilliant minds working in businesses across North Yorkshire, and AmbaSat is a great example of the talent and innovation we have right on our doorstep.
“People might be surprised to learn that a company working at the forefront of space technology is based in the centre of Northallerton, but it shows the exciting range of businesses we have in our area.
“It was fantastic to see how the company has grown since I first met Martin in 2022.
“Securing funding from the European Space Agency is a significant achievement, and it’s particularly encouraging to see AmbaSat creating opportunities for local graduates and young engineers to build their careers here in North Yorkshire.”
Mr Platt said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Rishi to AmbaSat and walk him through some of the space technologies we’re now developing – from multi-orbit resilient communications and satellite-enabled green hydrogen monitoring to our plans for future satellite missions.
“We now have two significant projects with the European Space Agency and are continuing to build our engineering capability here in North Yorkshire.
“It was great to be able to share with Rishi what we’re building here and some of the opportunities ahead for AmbaSat.”
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