OneWeb has tied up with ISRO Rocket for satellite launch.
Highlight
- OneWeb to launch satellite with Indian Space Research Organization rockets
- OneWeb is an Indo-UK joint venture satellite communications company
- This agreement will help ensure that OneWeb completes its satellite launch program
India-UK joint venture satellite communications company OneWeb on Thursday (April 21) said it will launch its satellites using Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) rockets.
OneWeb, a joint venture of Bharat Bharti Global and UK government, said in a statement that an agreement has been signed with NewSpace India Limited, the commercial arm of ISRO, in this regard.
The company said the agreement will help OneWeb complete its satellite launch programme.
The first launch with New Space India is expected in 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
The launch will increase OneWeb’s total of 428 satellites in orbit, which is 66 percent of the planned total fleet, to create a global network that will provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity.
“It’s 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 growth of OneWeb’s network, as we move across space.” Let’s work together industry towards our shared goal of connecting communities globally,” said Sunil Bharti Mittal, Executive President, OneWeb.
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 set up a cluster of 650 satellites in low Earth orbit to offer communication services.
The other terms of the agreement with New Space India are confidential.
The statement is silent on the number of satellites OneWeb will put into orbit using ISRO’s rockets.
Space sector experts had earlier told IANS that the US and Europe’s economic sanctions against Russia for the war against Ukraine could increase economic opportunities for the Indian space sector and not burden it with economic costs.
He also said that to capitalize on the opportunities, India should ramp up its satellite launch capabilities and announce Productivity Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for the aerospace sector.
“All the countries that are feeling the pinch due to the absence of Russian rockets for satellite launch can consider alternatives. While the bulk of the satellite launch contracts will be taken by the US and Europe, there will be others who are looking for other options. India’s neutrality has created a new market segment,” Chaitanya Giri, founder, Dawn Advisory and Intelligence, told news agency IANS.
“Indo-UK joint venture OneWeb has not taken advantage of the Indian opportunity. ISRO may offer to launch OneWeb’s satellites with its GSLV rocket.”
OneWeb’s board voted to suspend satellite launches from the Baikonur rocket port in Russia.
The terms of the agreement with New Space India were not disclosed.
(with inputs from agencies)
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