Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operator OneWeb has completed the successful deployment of 16 new satellites following its latest launch with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
With 634 satellites now in-orbit, OneWeb says it is on track to deliver global coverage this year and is already in the process of scaling services for customers around the world.
Included in this new batch of satellites is JoeySat, a satellite that will be used to test a new beam-hopping capability planned for OneWeb’s Gen 2 constellation that will help to optimise resources to manage real-time changes in demand in different areas.
“We are excited to see the successful completion of our 19th launch, which would not have been possible without our committed team and our enormously skilled launch partners,” said Neil Masterson, Chief Executive Officer of OneWeb.
“We have made tremendous progress in scaling our services, and (this) launch is a testament to our commitment to continue improving our service to our customers. Never ones to rest on our laurels, we also view this launch as proof positive of our drive to innovate, as we test new technologies that will usher in the future of our connectivity capabilities and services.”
“We now look ahead to scaling our services as well as making important advancements in the future of connectivity.”
The same SpaceX launch also carried five spare satellite for the Iridium satellite network, used to provide Certus services. In total, 80 Iridium NEXT satellites have been deployed to date, with 66 operational satellites and 14 spares in orbit.
