OneWeb is an ambitious project to provide global high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity through a large constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). The company was founded in 2012 with the goal of connecting the billions of people around the world who still lack reliable internet access, especially in rural and remote areas.
Constellation Overview Fortune
OneWeb’s initial plans called for a constellation of 900 satellites, but this was later reduced to 648 satellites after improvements in the network design enabled expanded coverage with fewer spacecraft. As of December 2023, 643 satellites have been successfully launched and deployed.
The satellites are manufactured through a joint venture between OneWeb and European aerospace giant Airbus called OneWeb Satellites. Their state-of-the-art facility in Florida can produce up to two satellites per day, revolutionizing production by cutting costs and assembly times compared to traditional custom-built satellites.
Each OneWeb satellite weighs approximately 325 pounds (150 kg) and is roughly the size of a refrigerator. They operate at an altitude of 1200 km in polar orbits, circling the Earth every 109 minutes. Onboard electric propulsion thrusters from Busek allow for efficient orbit raising and station-keeping.
Launch Partners
OneWeb has contracted a range of launch providers to deploy its satellites, including Arianespace, SpaceX, NewSpace India Limited, and Glavkosmos. After relations soured with the Russian space agency over the Ukraine invasion, OneWeb terminated a deal for launches on Soyuz rockets from Baikonur Cosmodrome.
After completion of Gen 1 satellites, OneWeb then plans to deploy a smaller Gen 2 constellation, likely with a heavier satellite design, to increase capacity.
Global Connectivity Services
The full 648-satellite constellation will enable global coverage, targeting remote areas that currently lack reliable connectivity.
OneWeb sells capacity to telecom providers, businesses, governments, and other customers. Use cases span sectors like maritime, aviation, enterprise networks, rural broadband, emergency response, defense, and more. For example, OneWeb recently signed a deal with Hanwha Systems to provide satellite connectivity services in South Korea.
While financial difficulties forced OneWeb to file for bankruptcy in 2020, new investment allowed them to emerge and continue deploying the network. Key shareholders now include the British Government, Bharti Global, Eutelsat, and Softbank.
In 2022, OneWeb merged with European satellite operator Eutelsat. The deal combines OneWeb’s cutting-edge LEO broadband constellation with Eutelsat’s extensive fleet of geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites to create the first LEO/GEO integrated platform, named Eutelsat OneWeb.
Enabling Future Growth
Beyond completing its first-generation network, OneWeb has even more ambitious plans to enhance services and expand access going forward. Their Florida factory has the capacity to produce satellites faster than they can launch them.
OneWeb is reportedly in talks with the UK government and European Space Agency about combining their planned Gen 2 constellation with a proposed secure European satellite network named ISAS. This hybrid system would serve both commercial and government users.
Additionally, the OneWeb satellite design and production process developed with Airbus enables a unique new offering – selling standalone platforms without the broadband payload to other operators wanting an affordable satellite bus. These “3rd party” missions can take advantage of OneWeb’s economies of scale and flight-proven systems.
Through technological innovation and global collaboration with partners, OneWeb aims to fundamentally transform internet availability worldwide in the years ahead. Reliable connectivity empowers progress across education, healthcare, business, and more. While challenges remain, OneWeb’s expanding constellation is bringing this vision closer to reality each day.
Reference: EO Portal