When you think about satellites orbiting Earth, you might imagine complex rocket science. But at Flann in Cornwall, they’re proving that some of the most critical space technology is surprisingly accessible – and it’s being designed and manufactured right here in the South West.
Flann specialises in designing and manufacturing microwave technology and innovative passive waveguide solutions – some of which are making the latest challenges in SATCOM and spaceflight communications disappear.
These aren’t just abstract innovations; their products are currently being used aboard satellites in orbit to enable faster data communications. For example, earlier this year, Flann turned a relatively standard product into a spaceflight-ready product, quickly and effectively. That component has now launched and is operating in space as intended – a tangible example of Cornish engineering contributing directly to active space missions. Building on this success, the team is also developing a waveguide switch for an upcoming spaceflight mission in collaboration with a major UK organisation.
Many industry leaders turn to Flann when they need the best performance available. The company’s world-class intellectual property and niche expertise have established them as specialists in high-reliability, high-precision passive waveguide components. This reputation hasn’t been built overnight – it reflects decades of accumulated knowledge and continuous refinement of manufacturing processes to deliver the exacting standards space applications demand. That’s what Flann delivers, and why their reputation speaks to both the quality of their manufacturing and the innovation happening in Cornwall.
What sets Flann apart isn’t just responding to these customer’s demands – they’re proactively ring-fencing engineers’ time to develop what they believe is missing from the UK space ecosystem; anticipating the needs of future spaceflight communications rather than just reacting to current requirements. So, in a rapidly evolving sector where communications requirements are pushing toward higher frequencies and greater data throughput, having manufacturers who can anticipate rather than simply respond gives the UK a competitive advantage.
This proactive innovation strategy is strengthened by collaboration. Flann works closely with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and UK universities to develop new techniques and overcome industry challenges. Through these partnerships, they’re not just solving immediate technical problems – they’re helping to set the latest standards and methodologies for the industry, positioning Cornwall as a critical contributor to national space capabilities, and ensuring UK manufacturers can compete at the highest level globally.
This aligns directly with the UK’s need for a stronger domestic defence and space ecosystem. Currently, many critical supply chain roles are fulfilled by overseas suppliers, creating potential vulnerabilities and limiting opportunities for UK economic growth. As Flann points out, there are new opportunities for manufacturers to fulfill supply chain roles that are currently underrepresented in the UK – and Cornwall is stepping up. By developing in-house capabilities for components that might otherwise be imported, companies like Flann are building resilience into the UK’s space sector while creating highly skilled jobs and retaining valuable intellectual property within the country.
Manufacturing for space isn’t just about cutting-edge facilities – it’s about people. Flann is actively building the next generation of Cornwall’s engineering talent with the skills needed to design and manufacture space components to a new standard. They host work experience students, open their doors during National Manufacturing Day, and take on apprentices when possible. Initiatives like these do more than fulfill corporate responsibility – they create pathways into manufacturing careers that many young people in Cornwall might not otherwise consider, or have access to.
The region itself is becoming increasingly attractive for this kind of high-tech manufacturing. As Flann notes, Cornwall is developing considerable talent in the engineering sector while attracting new businesses, creating a growing hub for knowledge and expertise in highly skilled engineering. This clustering effect – where companies, skills, and supporting infrastructure concentrate in one location – creates competitive advantages that benefit all participants.
Being part of the Cornwall Space Cluster amplifies these benefits, providing Flann with strategic collaboration opportunities, including exhibiting at key space events across the UK and Europe. These connections open doors to new customers, potential partners, and insights into emerging market needs, supporting Flann’s ambitious vision to double in size within the next decade.
Flann exemplifies what’s happening across Cornwall’s manufacturing sector. Local companies are doing interesting, practical work that directly contributes to national and international space missions. They’re creating jobs, building skills, and proving that Cornwall is the right place for high-tech businesses to thrive.
It’s not rocket science – it’s world-class engineering, that’s happening right here.
Flann is a member of the Cornwall Space Cluster, part of Cornwall’s growing advanced manufacturing ecosystem supporting the UK space sector. Learn more about Cornwall’s space capabilities and meet the cluster at Space Tech Expo Bremen.
