NewSpace India Limited Launches 36 OneWeb Satellites

NewSpace India Limited launched a cluster of 36 satellites for OneWeb Sunday, bringing the OneWeb constellation to 618 spacecraft in orbit.

"Today’s launch represents a major step towards closing the digital divide."

OneWeb Executive Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal.

Lift-off took place at 9:00am local time. OneWeb’s satellites separated successfully from the rocket and were dispensed in nine phases over a period of 1 hour and 14 minutes, with signal acquisition on all 36 satellites confirmed.

This is OneWeb’s 18th launch, its third this year. The OneWeb constellation design calls for 588 satellites for global coverage and additional satellites are planned for resiliency and redundancy. Thanks to today’s successful launch the constellation is in place to soon deliver global services. By the year-end, OneWeb will be ready to roll out global coverage, enhancing its existing connectivity solutions that are already live in regions north of 50-degrees latitude as it brings new areas online by partnering with leading providers.

Mittal: NewSpace India Limited Launch will Help Close the Digital Divide

This NewSpace India Limited mission marks OneWeb’s second satellite deployment from India, highlighting the strong partnership with NSIL and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) and OneWeb’s commitment to provide connectivity across the length and breadth of India. Once activated, OneWeb’s coverage solutions will bring secure connectivity to enterprises, towns, villages, municipalities and schools, including the most remote areas across the country.

"In my work I have seen the power of connectivity to bring benefits to all, wherever they are. Yet half the world’s population does not have access to fast, reliable connectivity. Today’s launch represents a major step towards closing the digital divide. OneWeb’s global constellation will play a pivotal role in realizing this dream," said Sunil Bharti Mittal, Executive Chairman of OneWeb.

“I am particularly proud that OneWeb has crossed the threshold to be able to provide its global coverage in India, a country whose ambitions in enhancing Space-based connectivity are being driven by New Space India and ISRO. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India’s target to significantly expand access to high-speed internet connectivity is vital, and OneWeb is grateful for all the support and is delighted to be playing its part. Overall, this is an incredibly exciting time for the satellite connectivity industry, and I am delighted that the UK and India are at the forefront of developments."

“Successful injection of 36 OneWeb Gen-1 satellites from the UK by LVM3 today, is an extremely proud moment for NSIL and the entire ISRO fraternity," said Radhakrishnan D, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NewSpace India Limited. "NSIL, would like to thank M/s OneWeb for believing in our capabilities and giving us this important opportunity to undertake the mission. We are doubly happy, as this mission would mark the accomplishment of full constellation and commencement of commercial broadband services globally by M/s OneWeb."

(Source: OneWeb news release. Images provided and from file)