OneWeb will launch 36 satellites with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 (UTC—October 23, 2022, local time). This launch marks OneWeb’s historic 14th launch and the first since re-initiating its launch program this fall and will be conducted by NSIL, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
The launch will occur at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota India. This event brings OneWeb’s constellation to 462 satellites, more than 70% of teh satellites required for OneWeb to reach global coverage.
This miles will activate a new phase of OneWeb’s launch program as the company continues their goal of bridging the digital divide around the globe and the firm remains on track to activate global coverage in 2023, with coverage solutions already live in regions north of 50 degrees latitude.
A OneWeb livestream will be available on the following channels, with programming starting at 23:42 IST / 19:12 BST / 14:12 ET:
- OneWeb website: www.oneweb.net
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OneWebofficial/videos
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onewebofficial
Original posting…
OneWeb has reported the arrival of 36 satellites at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC- SHAR) in advance of a planned launch from Sriharikota, India — with this launch, OneWeb will have more than 70% of the firm’s planned Gen 1 LEO constellation on-orbit as the company progresses to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity services around the world.
OneWeb has partnered with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the national space agency of India – Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) — to facilitate this launch. The launch will be the company’s 14th overall and the satellites will be placed into orbit by the heaviest ISRO rocket, the GSLV-MkIII. One additional launch will take place this year and three more are targeted for early next year to complete the OneWeb constellation.
India’s Bharti Enterprises, a major investor and shareholder in OneWeb, this year announced a distribution partnership with Hughes Communications India Private Ltd. (HCIPL). OneWeb will connect towns, villages and local and regional municipalities in the hardest-to-reach areas, thereby playing a critical role in bridging the digital divide across India.
Neil Masterson, OneWeb CEO, said, “OneWeb’s dedication to industry collaboration has allowed us to successfully navigate the everchanging global environment and prepare for yet another milestone launch. We are proud of our ability to adapt and remain on track to deliver global connectivity in the hardest to reach places. With many thanks to our top-of-the line partners ISRO and NSIL, as well as our shareholder Bharti Global for their continued stewardship, we were able to facilitate this upcoming pioneering launch in Sriharikota India.”
Radhakrishnan D, Chairman-cum- Managing Director, NewSpace India Limited, said, “Undertaking the launch of 36 OneWeb satellites on-board GSLV-MkIII from India is a historic moment for NSIL and ISRO. We are excited to see the arrival of the satellites and the Ground Support Equipment in India in preparation for the launch. Teams at NSIL/ ISRO are sincerely working towards providing the best of the Launch Service solutions and support for OneWeb satellites, and we wish their teams great success in their forthcoming activities at SDSC-SHAR and launch.”