OneWeb has reached agreement with another satellite launch provider to resume construction of its low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation
New Space India will launch OneWeb LEO satellites later this year from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This agreement, along with one struck with SpaceX in March, will bring OneWeb’s plans back on track after a major setback.
OneWeb, partly owned by the UK Government, saw its drive to build a global network of LEO satellites stalled when Russia invaded Ukraine. This cancelled a series of proposed launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, which is operated by Russia.
Thirty-six satellite were already in place at the facility for an upcoming launch, and it is uncertain whether these will be returned.
OneWeb had to swiftly find alternative launch providers, which is why its multiple ownership structure was so effective. It is owned by Indian group Bharti, Eutelsat, SoftBank, technology providers Hughes and Hanwha, and the UK Government.
OneWeb initially turned to SpaceX, reaching an agreement in March. New Space India will be the second launch provider following contract signatures last week, during a state visit by UK prime minister Boris Johnson to meet Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in India.
“This is yet another historic day for collaboration in space, thanks to the shared ambition and vision of New Space India and OneWeb,” said OneWeb executive chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal.
“This most recent agreement on launch plans adds considerable momentum to the development of OneWeb’s network, as we work together across the space industry toward our common goal of connecting communities globally.”
OneWeb has 428 satellites, 66% of the planned total fleet, in orbit. This is enough for a regional service of high-speed, low-latency connectivity north of the 50th parallel. It needs to launch the other 34% for a global network.
OneWeb explained how its network will bring low latency and faster communications to offshore and maritime markets during Riviera Maritime Media’s How LEO satellites will transform maritime and offshore connectivity webinar, held 22 March 2022.
OneWeb director for maritime and energy Celeste Endrino-Cowley and vice president for maritime and energy Carole Plessy were on the panel of this webinar.
