Eutelsat OneWeb: Constellation - General Thread

[gongora]

The move to cancel the Virgin contract shows they're not too beholden to small shareholders, and many of the investors are not suppliers.

[Asteroza]

Out of curiosity, who actually owns OneWeb? I tried to find info on that on Wikipedia but it was not clear to me who is behind the company.

In mid-2018 Qualcomm had 16%, Softbank 37%, and 1110 Ventures (Greg Wyler) had 12%.

Thats 65% who owns remaining 35%?

Thought Airbus and Virgin were share holders.

Their Series A funding was by Qualcomm, Virgin, Coca Cola, Intelsat, Airbus, Bharti, Hughes and Totalplay. Their recent $1.3B offering was bought by Softbank, Qualcomm, Grupo Salinas and the government of Rwanda.

What's interesting about this is that all the funding comes from some sort of stakeholders - early on Greg Wyler trying to secure as big a stake as possible, but later on also their suppliers. I don't know if that's a good thing, as we've seen they've had issues with the bad launch contracts they've signed with Virgin in exchange for the investment. They are also partially owned by every one of their major suppliers, and notably no general fund that's mainly interested in growing its investment (other than Softbank).

It makes for an impressive list of companies involved until you realize that each of them has some kind of other interest that they've tied their investment to. I suspect a shareholder meeting with Airbus, Virgin and Qualcomm at the table goes quite differently than at SpaceX, where the satellite project is being funded by people largely interested in them actually finding the most efficient solution.

Coca-cola being an investor probably reflects their logistics ops, plus increasing IoT hybridization of vending machines. Cashless payments are kinda big now for vending machines (though those are usually small dedicated 2G modems for contactless payment terminals currently, not full IoT logistics management and just-in-time replenishment). Co-selling/co-branding work, and using vending machines as wifi AP's and BLE beacons/sensors is a big marketing push. As a matter of fact, Coca-Cola not too long ago acquired it's own vendor ID in the IEEE vendor MAC database for networking hardware MAC addresses (FC:D4:F2 I think).

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/CHenry_SN/status/1149384495365271552

Some details from this interview:
- Launches start in December, 34 to 36 sats per month. Global coverage by Q3 2021, partial service in 2020.
- Launches costs have dropped ~30% since Arianespace Soyuz contract signing.
- OneWeb Satellites' Florida factory opening July 22.

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/greg_wyler/status/1149414716965449728

@OneWeb is live! Delivering over 350mbps to a terminal with 30ms ping time. All launched satellites healthy and over-performing. Production ramping, and global coverage in sight. Congratulations to the team! #Satellite #Broadband

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/greg_wyler/status/1149523852310896640

Latest data  - with minimal optimization @oneweb now hitting over 400mbps to a terminal, I think 1Gbps is achievable. These little satellites are performing very well. Goodbye digital divide.

[Mammutti]

https://twitter.com/OneWeb/status/1153256142992224257

In two hours time, we’ll be live from Florida for the opening of the OneWeb & @AirbusSpace / @AirbusInTheUS satellite production facility - join us live to hear from some of the biggest names in the space industry #NewSpaceRace (link: https://oneweb.world/factory) oneweb.world/factory 

Press release: https://oneweb.world/media-center/oneweb-satellites-and-partners-oneweb-and-airbus-transform-space-industry-with-worlds-first-high-volume-satellite-production-facility-in-florida

[jacqmans]

OneWeb Satellites Opens 105,500 Square-Foot Production Facility on Florida’s Space Coast

EDC’s Lynda Weatherman joins government officials and local partners in celebration of milestone.

Space Coast, FL (July 22, 2019) – Today, OneWeb Satellites, a joint venture of OneWeb and Airbus, officially opened the world’s first high-volume, high-speed advanced satellite production facility in Exploration Park on Florida’s Space Coast. Today’s milestone is the next step in advancing the company’s investment on Florida’s Space Coast, which was first announced in 2016 by the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast’s (EDC) after a highly competitive site selection process. This state-of-the-art facility will employ 250 new high-tech workers and create an additional 3,000 indirect jobs through the supply chain.

The OneWeb Satellites facility is the first to employ industrial-scale mass production techniques for satellites, enabling dramatic cost savings and reduced production times. The company plans to deliver one satellite per production shift or two a day, significantly expanding internet connectivity and making space technology far more accessible.

The EDC’s President and CEO Lynda Weatherman joined government officials including U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Manisha Singh, in celebrating the opening of the 105,500 square foot production facility.

“OneWeb is making a difference across the globe with its mission of connectivity for all and the EDC is honored to celebrate today’s milestone,” said Lynda Weatherman. “OneWeb’s selection of Brevard County demonstrates the Space Coast’s leadership in high-tech talent and innovation, furthering our region as the leader in the next generation of space related activities.”

“OneWeb Satellites and its partners are transforming the satellite and space industry. By producing high quality satellites at a fraction of the cost and schedule of traditional manufacturers, we are not only enabling OneWeb to connect the planet, we are making space dramatically more accessible to everyone,” said Tony Gingiss, CEO of OneWeb Satellites.

“This is a defining moment in the history of OneWeb, and the space industry. With today’s opening, we are one step closer to connecting the unconnected for the benefit of societies all over the world,” said Adrian Steckel, CEO of OneWeb. “As we gear up for more satellite launches at the end of the year, this facility will ensure we can begin delivering global connectivity in some areas as early as next year and globally in 2021.”

[jacqmans]

July 22, 2019

OneWeb Satellites and partners OneWeb and Airbus transform space industry with world’s first high-volume satellite production facility in Florida

Opening marks a breakthrough in technology and manufacturing, enabling first-ever rapid production of communication satellites
Supports deployment of OneWeb network to bring transformative internet connectivity to everyone, everywhere
Facility provides ability to produce high quality satellites at speed, cost, standard, that wasn’t possible before
Opening comes just months after launch of first satellites, now operational in space
EXPLORATION PARK, Florida, USA, July 22, 2019 – OneWeb Satellites – a joint venture of OneWeb and Airbus – today officially opened the world’s first high-volume, high-speed advanced satellite production facility to bring transformative internet connectivity to everyone, everywhere.

Historically, satellites are custom built, costing tens of millions of dollars to build, and taking more than a year to produce a single one. The OneWeb Satellites facility is the first to employ industrial-scale mass production techniques for satellites, enabling dramatically reduced costs and production times that can deliver one satellite per production shift or two a day, while significantly expanding internet connectivity and making space technology far more accessible.

“OneWeb Satellites and its partners are transforming the satellite and space industry. By producing high quality satellites at a fraction of the cost and schedule of traditional manufacturers, we are not only enabling OneWeb to connect the planet, we are making space dramatically more accessible to everyone,” said Tony Gingiss, CEO of One Web Satellites.

The facility’s production capabilities will first support the rapid scaling of the OneWeb network, starting with a constellation of 650 satellites and scaling to 1,980 satellites delivering global connectivity.

With half the world’s population unconnected, and inconsistent connectivity persisting as people travel more at sea and in the skies, the high-performance communication satellites built in this facility will enable high-speed internet access that can unlock healthcare, education, and economic advancements.

“This is a defining moment in the history of OneWeb, and the space industry. With today’s opening, we are one step closer to connecting the unconnected for the benefit of societies all over the world,” said Adrian Steckel, CEO of OneWeb. “As we gear up for more satellite launches at the end of the year, this facility will ensure we can begin delivering global connectivity in some areas as early as next year and globally in 2021.”

The 105,500 square foot production facility, which has two production lines capable of producing two satellites a day, is helping to revitalize Florida’s Space Coast with 250 new high-tech jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs through the supply chain.

Government officials including U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Manisha Singh, and business and community leaders in Merritt Island, Florida near the Kennedy Space Center attended the official opening with the team.

For Airbus, this new facility is the latest step in the company’s continued and long-standing growth in U.S. manufacturing, job creation and investment. Airbus utilizes 450 U.S. suppliers in 40+ states and has spent more than $187 billion in the U.S. since 1990. Airbus spending in the U.S. supports more than 275,000 American jobs.

“Airbus is manufacturing products in the U.S. from all of our business divisions – commercial aircraft, helicopters and now satellites,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, Chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas. “We take seriously our partnerships in the communities where we do business, and we’re proud to contribute our aerospace manufacturing expertise to the Space Coast with 250 new high-tech jobs in Florida. We are equally excited to welcome these new employees to the Airbus OneWeb Satellites team in the U.S.”

OneWeb Satellites’ game-changing manufacturing technology and facility also represent a tremendous opportunity for other commercial and government customers, providing end-users with dramatic cost savings and opening the door to missions that were previously unthinkable.

“The avenue for unlocking untapped human potential lies, yet to be paved, in space,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Private industry is a key partner in this effort as we are well on our way to a $1 trillion space economy and fueling a new revolution in technology in orbit.”

Chairman Pai added: “Since my first day as Chairman of the FCC, my number one priority has been closing the digital divide and bringing the benefits of the digital age to all Americans. Promoting innovative technologies will be critical to accomplishing that priority. Satellite constellations have the ability to deliver broadband services using a new generation of low-Earth orbit satellite technologies. That’s why the FCC under my leadership approved OneWeb’s proposal and why I was pleased to attend the opening of OneWeb Satellite’s production facility. At the FCC, we’ll continue our work to make access to high-speed Internet available across the country.”

Monday’s event is being livestreamed on www.oneweb.world/factory and to follow social content on the event please look to #NewSpaceRace.

###

Key production and satellite stats

The facility is capable of producing up to two satellites every day, or one per assembly line shift. Traditional manufacturers generally take more than a year to build a single satellite.
The facility can produce a satellite for approximately 1/50th of the cost of a traditional manufacturer.
Total Spacecraft Mass – 150 kg
Payload Mass – 60 kg
Propulsion – Electric (Xenon HET)
The design life of the satellites will be greater than seven years in a 500 km orbit and greater than five years in a 1,200 km orbit.

[A_M_Swallow]

https://twitter.com/greg_wyler/status/1149523852310896640

Latest data  - with minimal optimization @oneweb now hitting over 400mbps to a terminal, I think 1Gbps is achievable. These little satellites are performing very well. Goodbye digital divide.

What is the bit rate of the satellite television signal transmitted by a news reporters van?

[Sam Ho]

https://twitter.com/greg_wyler/status/1149523852310896640

Latest data  - with minimal optimization @oneweb now hitting over 400mbps to a terminal, I think 1Gbps is achievable. These little satellites are performing very well. Goodbye digital divide.

What is the bit rate of the satellite television signal transmitted by a news reporters van?

Drifting a bit from the topic here, but an HD stream is typically 10-15 Mbps.

[A_M_Swallow]

https://twitter.com/greg_wyler/status/1149523852310896640

Latest data  - with minimal optimization @oneweb now hitting over 400mbps to a terminal, I think 1Gbps is achievable. These little satellites are performing very well. Goodbye digital divide.

What is the bit rate of the satellite television signal transmitted by a news reporters van?

Drifting a bit from the topic here, but an HD stream is typically 10-15 Mbps.

Showing relevance. Satellite companies used to charge TV stations thousands of dollars an hour to rent a channel (especially across the Atlantic). I suspect OnWeb will be cheaper.

[gongora]

[BBC] Russia denies OneWeb's satellite internet request

A firm that plans to launch hundreds of satellites into orbit to provide worldwide internet coverage has failed in its latest attempt to get approval in Russia.

OneWeb, whose headquarters are in the UK, was seeking to use a certain band of radio frequencies in Russia.

[ncb1397]

[BBC] Russia denies OneWeb's satellite internet request

A firm that plans to launch hundreds of satellites into orbit to provide worldwide internet coverage has failed in its latest attempt to get approval in Russia.

OneWeb, whose headquarters are in the UK, was seeking to use a certain band of radio frequencies in Russia.

Yeah, I think that Russia and China are out for both SpaceX and OneWeb. So, they will be idle over at least 1/5th of the world's land mass and under-used over oceans (71% of Earth's surface area). They may only spend about 10-20% of their time being used substantially and generating substantial revenue.

[envy887]

[BBC] Russia denies OneWeb's satellite internet request

A firm that plans to launch hundreds of satellites into orbit to provide worldwide internet coverage has failed in its latest attempt to get approval in Russia.

OneWeb, whose headquarters are in the UK, was seeking to use a certain band of radio frequencies in Russia.

Yeah, I think that Russia and China are out for both SpaceX and OneWeb. So, they will be idle over at least 1/5th of the world's land mass and under-used over oceans (71% of Earth's surface area). They may only spend about 10-20% of their time being used substantially and generating substantial revenue.

Percentage of population, or percentage of internet users, would probably be a better reference than percentage of area, since the satellites don't need to be over an area to serve it.

[DigitalMan]

[BBC] Russia denies OneWeb's satellite internet request

A firm that plans to launch hundreds of satellites into orbit to provide worldwide internet coverage has failed in its latest attempt to get approval in Russia.

OneWeb, whose headquarters are in the UK, was seeking to use a certain band of radio frequencies in Russia.

If I recall, Wyler had mentioned (congressional testimony?) that lack of satellite interconnects on its satellites would make the OneWeb constellation more attractive in locations such as Russia because all the traffic would be relayed through local ground stations.

It seems like an idea that would placate the Russian government like Greg suggested, perhaps there are some complications.

[Rondaz]

Startup Beats Elon Musk's SpaceX, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origins In Space Internet Race..

By Arthur Villasanta  08/09/19 AT 12:11 AM

https://www.ibtimes.com/startup-beats-elon-musks-spacex-jeff-bezos-blue-origins-space-internet-race-2811771

[gongora]

There’s something strange going on amid the satellite Internet rush..

Greg Wyler, the founder of OneWeb, starts a second company to compete with himself.

ERIC BERGER - 2/23/2018, 9:11 AM

https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/theres-something-strange-going-on-amid-the-satellite-internet-rush/

That article is a year and a half old.  It was discussed here:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40592.msg1792306#msg1792306

[guckyfan]

Startup Beats Elon Musk's SpaceX, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origins In Space Internet Race..

By Arthur Villasanta  08/09/19 AT 12:11 AM

https://www.ibtimes.com/startup-beats-elon-musks-spacex-jeff-bezos-blue-origins-space-internet-race-2811771

After gongoras reply user Rondaz replaced his post with a new one. The newly linked article claims that One Web gained the spectrum rights advantage by launching its first batch of satellites earlier than SpaceX.

Startup Beats Elon Musk's SpaceX, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origins In Space Internet Race

OneWeb has become the first to bring its Ku- and Ka-bands spectrum rights aboard its orbiting internet satellites into use, compelling other satellite operators such as SpaceX and Blue Origin to design their systems around its spectrum. This also means OneWeb has met the first-come-first served rules set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Is there anything to that claim?

[gongora]

Is there anything to that claim?

I don't understand the implications of ITU priority very well for these NGSO constellations, but it's irrelevant for the U.S. market.  The FCC chose to ignore it and use their own system.  Pretty much everyone (except I think Amazon) will have ITU priority over SpaceX since SpaceX made that late change to their orbit.  It may be up to each country granting access how much that matters.

[playadelmars]

https://www.cityam.com/softbank-suffers-380m-writedown-in-oneweb-stake/