NE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY BUREAU
CHENNAI, APRIL 21
OneWeb, an Indo-UK joint venture satellite communications company would launch its satellites using the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) rockets.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, OneWeb, a joint venture between India Bharti Global and the UK government, said an agreement to this effect has been signed with NewSpace India Ltd, the ISRO’s commercial arm.
You can find out more about the agreement with @NewSpaceIndia on our website at:https://t.co/LPog4itxeG
— Eutelsat OneWeb (@EutelsatOneWeb) April 20, 2022
The agreement will help ensure OneWeb completes its satellite launch programme, the company said.
The first launch with New Space India is anticipated in 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
The launches will add to OneWeb’s total in-orbit constellation of 428 satellites, 66 per cent of the planned total fleet, to build a global network that will deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity.
“This is yet another historic day for collaboration in Space, thanks to the shared ambition and vision of New Space India and OneWeb. This most recent agreement on launch plans adds considerable momentum to the development of OneWeb’s network, as we work together across the Space industry toward our common goal of connecting communities globally,” Sunil Bharti Mittal, OneWeb Executive Chairman said.
This launch contract follows a separate agreement between OneWeb and SpaceX to enable the company to resume satellite launches, announced in March 2022.
OneWeb plans to have a constellation of 650 satellites in low earth orbit to offer communication services.
Other terms of the agreement with New Space India are confidential.
