Eutelsat OneWeb: Constellation - General Thread

[DreamyPickle]

Due to capacity constraints on other providers it seems very plausible that OneWeb will finish the constellation using Falcon 9.

As far as they're constellation almost done but due to using polar orbits service is not yet available at lower latitudes. Waiting for an option "other than SpaceX" could mean a delay of many more months until the service is operational and a lot of lost revenue. This would outweigh the downside of "funding your competition".

[Rondaz]

Russia snubs space partnerships, covers flags on Soyuz

[M.E.T.]

Speculation: A possible problem with using F9: SpaceX any not have any spare F9 flights this year. Elon told us he was counting on Starship to launch a bunch of Starlinks, but Starship seems to be slipping. If SpaceX really needs those Starlinks as badly as Elon stated, All the F9s may be booked for 2022.

How many F9 launches are possible in 2022? They are probably limited by the turnaround time of the barges, even in the likely event that Hawthorne can produce enough boosters and second stages. Furthermore, Oneweb uses polar orbits, which I think usually launch from Vandenberg.

SpaceX has no incentive and certainly no obligation to fit any proposed OneWeb launches into this year’s schedule. All they have to do is agree to launch OneWeb sats at a reasonable market price, at a time when their current customer commitments have been fulfilled.

So somewhere in 2023 for a first launch, with the remaining launches probably stretching into 2024, seems quite reasonable.

OneWeb is then free to take it or leave it, and SpaceX cannot be accused of anti-competitive behaviour.

[Rondaz]

Rogozin: OneWeb will go bankrupt if it stops working with Roscosmos.

Rogozin predicted OneWeb bankruptcy if the company stops working with Roscosmos.

23:48 03.03.2022

MOSCOW, March 3 - RIA Novosti. The head of the state corporation Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin , said that the British company OneWeb would suffer huge losses and go bankrupt if Roscosmos did not launch their satellites.

The launch of the British OneWeb communication satellites was planned on March 5 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket, but due to the international situation, the launch was called into question. On March 2, Rogozin set conditions for the launch: comprehensive legal guarantees that OneWeb would not use these satellites for military purposes, and would not provide these services to the relevant military departments. Another condition was the withdrawal of the British government from the shareholders of OneWeb. The OneWeb Board of Directors voted on Thursday to suspend all launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. British Minister for Business, Energy and Industry Kwasi Kwarteng noted that the UK governmentdoes not sell its stake in OneWeb.

“As for OneWeb, we simply will not let them deploy this orbital constellation, that is, this company will simply go bankrupt. If we accept it (the decision to cancel the launch and terminate the contract - ed.), then the British government will spend about $ 8 billion Big money, colossal,” Rogozin said on the air of the Big Game program on Channel One.

OneWeb satellites are designed to create a space communication system that provides high-speed Internet access anywhere in the world. OneWeb is going to deploy a full first generation grouping by June 2022. According to previously published plans, six launches of the Soyuz rocket from Baikonur, as well as one launch from the Kourou cosmodrome in French Guiana , were planned to launch OneWeb satellites in 2022 .

https://ria.ru/20220303/bankrotstvo-1776387598.html

[yoram]

Speculation: A possible problem with using F9: SpaceX any not have any spare F9 flights this year. Elon told us he was counting on Starship to launch a bunch of Starlinks, but Starship seems to be slipping. If SpaceX really needs those Starlinks as badly as Elon stated, All the F9s may be booked for 2022.

How many F9 launches are possible in 2022? They are probably limited by the turnaround time of the barges, even in the likely event that Hawthorne can produce enough boosters and second stages. Furthermore, Oneweb uses polar orbits, which I think usually launch from Vandenberg.

SpaceX has no incentive and certainly no obligation to fit any proposed OneWeb launches into this year’s schedule. All they have to do is agree to launch OneWeb sats at a reasonable market price, at a time when their current customer commitments have been fulfilled.

So somewhere in 2023 for a first launch, with the remaining launches probably stretching into 2024, seems quite reasonable.

OneWeb is then free to take it or leave it, and SpaceX cannot be accused of anti-competitive behaviour.

On the other hand, if they gave them a quick launch slot, that would send a powerful signal to other Starlink competitors that they can still launch on SpaceX and get good service.

And also SpaceX has plenty of launch capacity with the rapid reusability. It's unlikely to be a big burden for them to launch one more quickly.

[meekGee]

It may just turn out that a consequence of the invasion into Ukraine is that SpaceX orders another barge...

[russianhalo117]

It may just turn out that a consequence of the invasion into Ukraine is that SpaceX orders another barge...

... or more.

[M.E.T.]

Speculation: A possible problem with using F9: SpaceX any not have any spare F9 flights this year. Elon told us he was counting on Starship to launch a bunch of Starlinks, but Starship seems to be slipping. If SpaceX really needs those Starlinks as badly as Elon stated, All the F9s may be booked for 2022.

How many F9 launches are possible in 2022? They are probably limited by the turnaround time of the barges, even in the likely event that Hawthorne can produce enough boosters and second stages. Furthermore, Oneweb uses polar orbits, which I think usually launch from Vandenberg.

SpaceX has no incentive and certainly no obligation to fit any proposed OneWeb launches into this year’s schedule. All they have to do is agree to launch OneWeb sats at a reasonable market price, at a time when their current customer commitments have been fulfilled.

So somewhere in 2023 for a first launch, with the remaining launches probably stretching into 2024, seems quite reasonable.

OneWeb is then free to take it or leave it, and SpaceX cannot be accused of anti-competitive behaviour.

On the other hand, if they gave them a quick launch slot, that would send a powerful signal to other Starlink competitors that they can still launch on SpaceX and get good service.

And also SpaceX has plenty of launch capacity with the rapid reusability. It's unlikely to be a big burden for them to launch one more quickly.

Interesting cost-benefit considerations to assess there, in my view.

[matthewkantar]

No, *IF* flying with SpaceX they would have to be dedicated flights due to the target orbit (1200km polar at 86.4 degrees) which is not SSO (~700km at 98 degrees) - like all Transporter missions so far.

SpaceX does list polar and LEO orbits in the Transporter drop down menu on its website. Could not figure out if any of the upcoming flights are other than san sync.

[M.E.T.]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/science/russia-oneweb-launch.html


Quote from the article:

Mr. Henry added that launch contracts of this size are typically signed two years in advance.

“OneWeb had anticipated finishing their constellation by August, so that is not going to be possible with a new launch provider,” he said.

[su27k]

https://spacenews.com/with-soyuz-off-the-table-oneweb-back-in-the-mix/

“We’re looking at U.S., Japanese and Indian options,” Chris McLaughlin, OneWeb’s chief of government, regulatory affairs and engagement, said March 3.

“But in the first instance, we’re pointing to Ariane and saying you still owe us a number of launches.”

Arianespace spokeswoman Cyrielle Bouju did not respond to requests for comment.

[Rondaz]

Dismantling of a rocket with OneWeb satellites began at Baikonur, a source said.

The source said that Baikonur began dismantling the Soyuz-2.1b rocket with OneWeb satellites.

11:56 04.03.2022

MOSCOW, March 4 - RIA Novosti. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket with OneWeb spacecraft has already begun to be removed from the launch pad at the Baikonur cosmodrome, a source at the cosmodrome told RIA Novosti on Friday.

Earlier that day, Roskosmos decided to cancel a launch of British communications satellites scheduled for Saturday.

"After the rocket is removed from the launch pad, it will be transported to the assembly and test building of site 31, where the space warhead (CSV) with satellites will be undocked from the rocket," the source said.

According to him, the CHS consists of a block of satellites and an upper stage "Fregat". After undocking, it will be transported to pad 112 of the cosmodrome.

"In the finishing chamber at site 112 of the cosmodrome, the upper stage will be undocked from the spacecraft unit, and the Fregat will be taken to site 31, to its workplace," the agency's interlocutor said.

He also said that the upper stage is filled with rocket fuel with aggressive components, so that within two to three months it will need to be taken to a gas station, where the fuel will be drained into containers.

The launch of OneWeb was planned for Saturday, March 5, however, due to the international situation, it turned out to be in doubt. On March 2, Rogozin set out the conditions for the launch: comprehensive legal guarantees that OneWeb would not use these satellites for military purposes and would not provide these services to the relevant military departments.

Another condition was the withdrawal of the British government from the shareholders of OneWeb. The OneWeb Board of Directors eventually voted to suspend all launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome . British Minister for Business, Energy and Industry Kwasi Kwarteng noted that the UK government is not selling its stake in OneWeb.

OneWeb satellites are designed to create a space communication system that provides high-speed Internet access anywhere in the world .

https://ria.ru/20220304/raketa-1776455460.html

[Rondaz]

Dmitry Rogozin, Director General of the Roscosmos State Corporation, instructed to stop all launches of Russian rockets in the interests of OneWeb from all spaceports, due to the lack of a guarantee from OneWeb about the non-use of the satellites of the system for military purposes

https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1499643716453244934

[Rondaz]

Baikonur Cosmodrome

https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1499689419808378882

[edzieba]

I have some questions about the batch of OneWeb sats which got stuck at Baikonur.
In general, assuming the launch will not happen - what would be routine for returning them home?
Do they have hydrazine propulsion for initial orbit raising?
What they have to do with Xe tanks before transportation?

good chance Russia will just steal them like they are the airliners they leased.

Much as Russia may wish otherwise, Baikonur is in Kazakhstan, and Kazakhstan is not Russian soil. Roscosmos operate the launch site, but depending on leverage that can be applied to Kazakhstan (e.g. allowing purchase of Kazakh oil & gas by the EU) recovering the satellites despite Russia's wishes is not out of the question.

[Rondaz]

Baikonur is in solidarity with the actions of our Armed Forces, supports our guys who are fulfilling their patriotic and military duty.

https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/1499711693655625733

[Rondaz]

Transportation of the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle has begun from the launch complex to the assembly and test building at site No. 31

https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1499731534345080832

[Rondaz]

The Soyuz-2.1b rocket with the Fregat upper stage and OneWeb spacecraft was delivered to the assembly and test building. In the coming days, specialists from Roscosmos enterprises will disassemble it into its component parts.

https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1499739249255587842

[Rondaz]

Dismantling of a rocket with OneWeb satellites began at Baikonur, a source said.

The source said that Baikonur began dismantling the Soyuz-2.1b rocket with OneWeb satellites.

03/04/2022 11:56 (updated: 03/04/2022 17:45)

MOSCOW, March 4 - RIA Novosti. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket with OneWeb spacecraft has already begun to be removed from the launch pad at the Baikonur cosmodrome, a source at the cosmodrome told RIA Novosti on Friday.

Earlier that day, Roskosmos decided to cancel a launch of British communications satellites scheduled for Saturday.

"After the rocket is removed from the launch pad, it will be transported to the assembly and test building of site 31, where the space warhead (CSV) with satellites will be undocked from the rocket," the source said.

According to him, the CHS consists of a block of satellites and an upper stage "Fregat". After undocking, it will be transported to pad 112 of the cosmodrome.

"In the finishing chamber at site 112 of the cosmodrome, the upper stage will be undocked from the spacecraft unit, and the Fregat will be taken to site 31, to its workplace," the agency's interlocutor said.

He also said that the upper stage is filled with rocket fuel with aggressive components, so that within two to three months it will need to be taken to a gas station, where the fuel will be drained into containers.

The launch of OneWeb was planned for Saturday, March 5, however, due to the international situation, it turned out to be in doubt. On March 2, Rogozin set out the conditions for the launch: comprehensive legal guarantees that OneWeb would not use these satellites for military purposes and would not provide these services to the relevant military departments.

Another condition was the withdrawal of the British government from the shareholders of OneWeb. The OneWeb Board of Directors eventually voted to suspend all launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome . British Minister for Business, Energy and Industry Kwasi Kwarteng noted that the UK government is not selling its stake in OneWeb.

OneWeb satellites are designed to create a space communication system that provides high-speed Internet access anywhere in the world .

https://ria.ru/20220304/raketa-1776455460.html

[Rondaz]

Foreigners seal up OneWeb satellites, source says.

The source said that foreigners will leave Baikonur when OneWeb satellites are sealed.

14:40 04.03.2022

MOSCOW, March 4 - RIA Novosti. Foreign experts will control the safety of the OneWeb satellites at the Baikonur Cosmodrome and seal the room where they will be stored, and only then they will be able to leave, a source at the Cosmodrome told RIA Novosti.

Pre-launch work on the launch of satellites took place under the contracts of the Glavkosmos company with the European supplier of launch services Arianespace and the Starsem company with a joint calculation of representatives of foreign customers and subsidiaries of Roskosmos .

"The Starsem company owns premises in Baikonur , including finishing chambers, which are certified according to Western standards, and access to them is carried out with the permission of foreigners. When work is completed and all foreign specialists leave Baikonur, the premises are sealed," he said.

The interlocutor of the agency specified that the technological device of the satellites is classified, "therefore, foreign specialists will not leave anywhere until the completion of the dismantling of the satellites." According to him, it will take at least a week to remove the satellites and place them in a sealed room.

Foreign specialists not only monitor the preservation of technological secrets, but also work as a team that prepares satellites and integrates them into a block of spacecraft, the source said.

"Agreements on the preservation of technological secrets are always respected, and we (the employees of the cosmodrome - ed.) are diligently fulfilling them," he said.

The launch of OneWeb was planned for Saturday, March 5, however, due to the international situation, it turned out to be in doubt.
 
On March 2, Rogozin set conditions for the launch: comprehensive legal guarantees that OneWeb would not use satellites for military purposes and would not provide these services to the relevant military departments.

Another condition was the withdrawal of the British government from the shareholders of OneWeb. The OneWeb Board of Directors eventually voted to suspend all launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. British Minister for Business, Energy and Industry Kwasi Kwarteng noted that the UK government is not selling its stake in OneWeb.

OneWeb satellites are designed to create a space communication system that provides high-speed Internet access anywhere in the world .

https://ria.ru/20220304/oneweb-1776510966.html