Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite company OneWeb has completed the successful deployment of 36 satellites launched from India on Sunday, bringing the total constellation to 618 satellites and completing the firm’s first-generation network.
This is OneWeb’s 18th launch in total, and its third this year. The constellation design calls for 588 satellites for global coverage, with additional satellites for resiliency and redundancy.
Following this latest successful launch OneWeb says it is now in place to shortly begin delivering services with global coverage by year-end. Current OneWeb connectivity services are live in regions north of 50-degrees latitude.
“This is the most significant milestone in the history of OneWeb, as we reach the satellites needed for global coverage,” said Neil Masterson, Chief Executive of OneWeb.
“Over several years we have remained focused on our commitment to deliver coverage solutions for the customers and communities that need it most. With today’s satellite deployment, facilitated by our expert team and our partners at ISRO and NSIL, we are realising this central ambition.”
“I would like to pay tribute to all of my colleagues at OneWeb who have driven our rapid momentum and progress over recent years. It is thanks to them that we will be able to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity around the world later this year.”
