OneWeb confirms successful deployment of 40
satellites launched with SpaceX
March, 9, 2023
OneWeb, the Low Earth Orbit
(LEO) satellite communications company, today
confirmed the successful deployment and contact of
40 satellites launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral
Space Force Station in Florida.
Lift-off took place on
Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 2:13pm ET (local).
OneWeb’s satellites separated successfully from the
rocket and were dispensed using 3 separation groups
over a period of 40 minutes, with the last
separation occurring 1 hour and 35 minutes after
launch. Signal acquisition on all 40 satellites have
been confirmed.
This launch is OneWeb’s 17th
to-date and the penultimate mission as the company
is set to complete its first-generation (Gen 1) LEO
satellite constellation and enable global coverage
in 2023. With 582 satellites now in orbit, OneWeb
will complete global footprint of its Gen 1
constellation with a launch set to take place later
this month with ISRO/NSIL.
Today’s launch enables OneWeb
to continue expanding its connectivity capabilities
as it grows its fleet of satellites and seeks to
initiate services for more partners around the
world. OneWeb already has connectivity solutions
active today in key geographies across the globe and
is bringing new areas online by partnering with
leading providers including VEON, Orange, Galaxy
Broadband, Paratus, Telespazio, and more. OneWeb and
its partners are relentlessly focused on the mission
to bridge the digital divide and provide internet
connectivity to a greater number of unconnected and
underserved rural and remote communities and
businesses.
Neil Masterson, Chief Executive
Officer of OneWeb, commented: “Today’s launch is an
exciting milestone as we are now just one mission
away from completing our Gen 1 constellation, which
will activate global service in 2023. Now more than
ever, OneWeb is dedicated to continuing the momentum
we have garnered from the past 17 successful
launches, to innovate alongside our trusted partners
and deliver connectivity solutions at scale. Each
launch is a group effort, and today’s success would
not have been possible without the dedication of the
entire launch team and our partners here in
Florida.”
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