OneWeb launches batch of 36 satellites taking in-orbit constellation to 182 satellites

New Delhi, April 27: Bharti groups backed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, named OneWeb successfully launched another batch of 36 satellites from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The company launched its satellites by Arianespace.

 

According to the companies press release, this launch brings OneWeb a step closer to its ‘Five to 50’ ambition, which enables the start of commercial service by the end of the year.

 

The rocket liftoff occurred on 25 April at 23:14 BST. Satellites were dispensed in nine batches over a period of 3 hours 52 minutes with the signal acquisition on all 36 satellites confirmed.

 

The OneWeb added that this successful launch brings its total in-orbit constellation to 182 satellites. These will form part of OneWeb’s 648 LEO satellite fleet that will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity, and represents 60 percent of the constellation required to enable its connectivity solution to reach all regions north of 50 degrees latitude by June 2021.

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OneWeb Neil Masterson, said these are exciting times at OneWeb as we get ever closer to bringing our connectivity services to some of the world's hardest to reach places. "With this successful launch, we are rapidly building momentum, we are launching more satellites, demonstrating the network, and announcing more distribution singings around the globe. We have a world-class team and product, and alongside our supportive shareholders, OneWeb continues to work towards bringing connectivity to everyone, everywhere," he said.

 

 

It recently announced distribution signings across multiple industries with more signings to be announced in the coming weeks with the expansion of its global capabilities.