What is Avanti Communications?
Avanti Communications is a global, multi-orbit service provider of fully integrated communication services and solutions. As our main mission is to better connect the world, Avanti Communications is a leading KA band high throughput satellite capacity partner to the communication industries in Europe, the middle east, and in Africa.
Tell us about your journey into the Space Industry.
Ever since my childhood I was interested in space, science, maths, and technology. My dad is an engineer and I grew up surrounded by the latest technology books and magazines. My first introduction to space was reading astrophysics books. I just fell more and more in love and I wanted to know more and more about space.
When I finished my Master’s Degree in Systems-On-Chip design, there were no options to join the space industry in my home country, Lithuania. I decided to move to the UK to pursue my dream, and landed at Avanti Communications in the Space Systems Operations Facility.
Where are you based on the Spaceport Cornwall site?
Avanti operates a fleet of our satellites at Goonhilly and Spaceport Cornwall. At Spaceport Cornwall we are based at the space operations facility which is great. We are really excited to be here, being one of 13 space based companies, allowing us to collaborate and work together to make a change in the industry.
How do you think these facilities will impact Cornwall and its STEM cluster?
Cornwall is an innovation centre with a rapidly growing space industry. The Spaceport Cornwall facilities are benefiting Cornwall by attracting more businesses and talent.
The presence of the facility is important as young people and talent are more aware that there is opportunity in the space industry here in Cornwall.
In Avanti, we have run the young engineer apprenticeship scheme for 10 years now. We help young engineers to gain experience and learn about space operations, have hands-on experience and be a part and support the projects that we work on related to the space industry.
In Cornwall, we are looking for new talent. We would like to attract and encourage people from various backgrounds to apply to work in the space industry.
What do you think of the Spaceport facilities?
The building itself is amazing, fantastic. It is in a great location and Avanti has a beautiful view. Our office space looks at the Cornish coastline and the runway which makes our day more exciting with planes taking off from Cornwall Airport Newquay.
The office has very well equipped meeting rooms and a large hotdesking area which is very important for the calibration of the company and our teams. I love our office.