36 satellites of OneWeb’s constellation reach Sriharikota: Key things to know – Times of India

Bharti-backed OneWeb, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, has announced the arrival of 36 satellites at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC- SHAR) for the planned launch from Sriharikota, India. With this launch, OneWeb will have over 70% of its planned Gen 1 LEO constellation in orbit as it aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity services around the world. While the OneWeb launch was initially planned for September, it may be pushed to October now, as per TOI sources.
Launch to be through space PSU, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
OneWeb has partnered with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the national space agency of India – Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), for the launch. The launch will be the company’s 14th overall and the satellites will be put into orbit by the heaviest ISRO rocket, the GSLVMkIII, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. One additional launch will take place this year and three more are targeted for early next year to complete the constellation.
The space PSU — which as part of its extended mandate, has at least six commercial missions planned over the next 18 months, including two GSLV-Mk3 and three PSLV launch missions, and one dedicated satellite mission — is more than doubling its manpower to implement the growing commercial missions it has in its pipeline. The first among them will be the launch of a constellation for OneWeb onboard a GSLV-Mk3. The second GSLV-MK3 mission will also be for OneWeb, while the three PSLV missions will be for other foreign customers, including a repeat customer.
OneWeb’s global partnerships
OneWeb resumes its launch programme with leading partners in the Satcom industry and the company’s services are already available in Alaska, Canada, UK, and the Arctic region. Earlier this year, Bharti Enterprises, a major investor and shareholder in OneWeb, announced distribution partnership with Hughes Communications India Private Ltd (HCIPL). OneWeb will connect towns, villages, and local and regional municipalities in the hardest-to-reach areas, thus playing a critical role in bridging
the digital divide across India.
Over the past few months, OneWeb has announced several innovative strategic partnerships with companies including Telstra, HD Hyundai Avikus, Marlink, Intelsat, Relativity Space, Telespazio, Astroscale, Telefónica, Kymeta, Telstra and Hanwha Systems Corporation.
Neil Masterson, OneWeb CEO, said, “OneWeb’s dedication to industry collaboration has allowed us to successfully navigate the everchanging global environment and prepare for yet another milestone launch. We are proud of our ability to adapt and remain on track to deliver global connectivity in the hardest to reach places. With many thanks to our top-of-the line partners ISRO and NSIL, as well as our shareholder Bharti Global for their continued stewardship, we were able to facilitate this upcoming pioneering launch in Sriharikota India.”
Radhakrishnan D, Chairman-cum- Managing Director, NewSpace India Limited, commented, “Undertaking the launch of 36 OneWeb satellites on-board GSLV-MkIII from India is a historic moment for NSIL and ISRO. We are excited to see the arrival of the satellites and the Ground Support Equipment in India in preparation for the launch. Teams at NSIL/ ISRO are sincerely working towards providing the best of the Launch Service solutions and support for OneWeb satellites, and we wish their teams great success
in their forthcoming activities at SDSC-SHAR and launch.”