Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company OneWeb will work with New Space India to help complete its satellite launch programme.
London-headquartered OneWeb and New Space India, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, explain that the first launch is anticipated in 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
The launches will add to OneWeb’s total in-orbit constellation of 428 satellites, 66% of the planned total fleet, to build a global network that will deliver connectivity.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, OneWeb Executive Chairman, states: “This is yet another historic day for collaboration in space, thanks to the shared ambition and vision of New Space India and OneWeb. This most recent agreement on launch plans adds considerable momentum to the development of OneWeb’s network, as we work together across the space industry toward our common goal of connecting communities globally.”
This launch contract follows a separate agreement between OneWeb and SpaceX to enable the company to resume satellite launches, announced in March 2022. OneWeb says it has already activated service with its network at the 50th parallel and above, to provide broadband connectivity services.
Other terms of the agreement with New Space India are confidential.
Since getting $300 million (£216.7 million at that time) in funding last year, OneWeb has been busy.
Last month alone, the company made six deals – usually for distribution agreements.
One notable name was Telstra in Australia. According to OneWeb, Telstra is expanding its presence in the satellite telecommunications market, building and maintaining three new dedicated teleports across Australia to provide satellite gateway services for OneWeb in the Southern Hemisphere.
These facilities are being delivered as part of a ten-year deal between Telstra and OneWeb.
Image courtesy of OneWeb.
