The company is moving more quietly than others, but while its last batches of satellites are grounded, it is preparing for the future…and successfully showing aviation companies that its connectivity system works. What to prepare for the future serenely in the face of SpaceX, Telesat and Amazon?
The second generation will be even more efficient.
OneWeb takes off (and this time by plane)
A video conference call, streaming, then a video game: passengers on a test flight of an airliner were able to benefit from a satellite connection to the constellation in low orbit of OneWeb. An experience organized with Stellar Blu, an operator specializing in aircraft connectivity on June 14, to promote their joint solution.
Because with Starlink, which crushes by its advertising, its thousands of satellites and its direct offers to consumers the debates on the superconstellations, one could forget that OneWeb also has 428 satellites in orbit. And that the system is active, for now over large polar areas for better coverage. Discreetly, because it is only intended for communication operators already established locally, OneWeb is nevertheless progressing on the sea, air and ground markets, with an increasingly solid reputation.
OneWeb does not take off (with its satellites)
The fact remains that the company is subject in 2022 to strong pressure on the technical side: there were six take-offs left, each with a cluster of 36 satellites to be sent into orbit when Russia invaded Ukraine. In an exchange of sanctions and blackmail, the director of Roscosmos had even decided to stop the take-off of a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur with one of the batches of satellites.
As a result, 36 units are still padlocked in Kazakhstan, while the others need to get into orbit quickly. The first “backup” launch with SpaceX (even though it’s a competitor, OneWeb didn’t really have a choice) could take place by the last quarter, as well as with the Indian GSLV Mk3 launcher.
OneWeb will take off (with NewSpace)
Finally, OneWeb is already engaged in a transition to its second generation of satellites. Now that the business is well established (if not profitable…), the future must be ensured. And take the lead: future units from SpaceX, Amazon and Telesat will have extended capabilities, so don’t waste time.
OneWeb has therefore signed an undisclosed but several hundred million dollar contract with Relativity Space, one of NewSpace’s youngest start-ups. While the latter is preparing for the takeoff of its first Terran-1 rocket, the contract with OneWeb concerns a future generation Terran-R… and this, for launches from 2025. Very tight timing on both sides , up to their ambitions! This contract is undoubtedly a disappointment for other players based in the United States (Rocket Lab, Virgin Orbit), but also in Europe for Arianespace, who hoped to recover several launches.
Nevertheless, maybe OneWeb will play it safe this time by spreading its second generation orders among several suppliers?
On the same subject :
Threats, invectives and flight bans: the impossible case of OneWeb satellites
Source : space news
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