OneWeb to resume satellite launches through agreement with SpaceXAgreement will enable OneWeb to resume its launch programme and complete satellite constellation for industry-grade secure connectivity around the world.London, U.K., 21 March, 2022 – OneWeb, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, announced today that the company and SpaceX entered into an agreement that will enable OneWeb to resume satellite launches.The first launch with SpaceX is anticipated in 2022 and will add to OneWeb’s total in-orbit constellation that currently stands at 428 satellites, or 66 percent of the fleet. OneWeb's network will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity.OneWeb CEO Neil Masterson said: “We thank SpaceX for their support, which reflects our shared vision for the boundless potential of space. With these launch plans in place, we’re on track to finish building out our full fleet of satellites and deliver robust, fast, secure connectivity around the globe.”Demand for OneWeb’s broadband connectivity services has continued to grow across telecommunications providers, aviation and maritime markets, and governments worldwide. OneWeb has activated service with its network at the 50th parallel and above, and early partners are initiating service.Terms of the agreement with SpaceX are confidential.
I'm sure there is some interesting clauses in this contract such as, "OneWeb will not seek to inhibit any approvals, deployments, or operations of SpaceX's Starlink system". I really didn't see OneWeb working with SpaceX after everything they have done to interfere with Starlink over the last several years.
Were the cancelled OneWeb Russian launches of the type marketed/contracted through Arianespace/Starsem or were they simply directly purchased from Russia by OneWeb?
It will be interesting to see when the first OneWeb launch will occur on a Falcon 9 as well as the number of satellites on that flight.With 36 satellites it might be possible to do a RTLS mission.I also suspect OneWeb might need to build replacements for those satellites in Russia.
Quote from: EnigmaSCADA on 03/21/2022 01:20 pmWere the cancelled OneWeb Russian launches of the type marketed/contracted through Arianespace/Starsem or were they simply directly purchased from Russia by OneWeb? I remember a statement from OneWeb claiming that "ArianeSpace owes them a number of launches". I wonder how ArianeSpace is involved in the deal with SpaceX?It's possible that this is a direct deal between OneWeb and SpaceX and that ArianeSpace will keep owing them a bunch of launches, presumably with Ariane 6.
Impressively short lead time, relative to launches of only a couple of years ago. Agreement to (scheduled) flight in less than a year. I'm sure someone has kept stats on that
Yeah, "Later this year" is not the same as "Late this year". Will be interesting to see how soon it can happen. I imagine that depends on a) how much modification and/or certification OneWeb's Soyuz dispenser requires to be qualified for a Falcon 9 and b) schedule availability. And I guess c) do they extend the dispenser to take advantage of the greater capacity of F9 versus Soyuz and add additional satellites? I would guess "probably not", but it could save them a lot of money and time, assuming orbital mechanics and satellites/plane cooperate.
What is One Web's launch inclination? (Added) Found the inclination 87 degrees. This is definitely best served by VSFB.This determines which launch site. If it is an inclination that is best served by VSFB. An RTLS mission type with an adapted Soyuz dispenser. Which is very possible in a period of 6 months or less from now. Such that RTLS launches out of VSFB they could easily double the launches per month without much affect to the existing launch plans.All of this is such that it would be possible for One Web to do ~4 to 5 launches with SpaceX if they are using VSFB and RTLS.
