So far, OneWeb has launched 428 satellites and plans to launch services around the world by the end of this year.
OneWeb, led by Bharti Enterprises, has entered into an agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to resume satellite launches. The partnership is limited to satellite launches and the companies have not shared financial and other details.
OneWeb, which is building a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), had to suspend its planned March 4 launch in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. The launch would take place from Baikonur, located in the Russian-controlled area of Kazakhstan. But given the British government’s stake of about 19.8% in OneWeb, the Russian space agency Roscosmos had demanded the UK’s withdrawal from the project. A guarantee was also requested from the company that the satellites had no military purpose. Russia benefits from US, UK and European Union sanctions for invading Ukraine.
So far, OneWeb has launched 428 satellites and plans to launch services around the world by the end of this year. In total, the company is expected to launch 648 LEO satellites. “SpaceX’s first launch is expected in 2022 and will add to OneWeb’s total in-orbit constellation that currently stands on 428 satellites, or 66% of its fleet. OneWeb’s network will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity,” a company statement said.
The London-based company, in which Bharti Enterprises has a stake of approximately 32%, previously planned to complete launches by June 2022. The deal with SpaceX allows OneWeb to complete the remaining satellite launches from Texas, US.
As for India, the Telecommunications Department (DoT) has issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to OneWeb for the start of services. OneWeb has already stated that it will remain a B2B service provider and has no plans to offer services to retail customers. OneWeb and Hughes Network Systems have signed a strategic six-year pact to provide satellite broadband services in the country. The services will be provided by Hughes Communications India (HCIPL), a joint venture between Hughes and Bharti Airtel. The deal follows the memorandum of understanding the companies signed in September 2021.
Satellite communications are extremely useful for providing broadband services in remote, hilly and inaccessible regions. It is also the only medium through which communication can be established in disaster areas when normal communication is impaired. In satellite communications, services are delivered via Leo satellites, which means that in remote and hilly areas, a box is installed that creates Wi-Fi spots that provide broadband services.
This post OneWeb signs deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to resume satellite launches
was original published at “https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/oneweb-signs-deal-with-elon-musks-spacex-to-resume-satellite-launches/2467285/”
