Successful launch of 36
OneWeb Satellites with ISRO/NSIL marks key milestone
to enable global connectivity
26 March 2023
OneWeb confirmed the successful
deployment and contact of 36 satellites launched by
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), from the Satish
Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota,
India.
Lift-off took place on Sunday,
26 March 2023 at 9:00am local time. OneWeb’s
satellites separated successfully from the rocket
and were dispensed in nine phases over a period of 1
hour and 14 minutes, with signal acquisition on all
36 satellites confirmed.
This is OneWeb’s 18th launch,
its third this year, bringing the total of OneWeb’s
constellation to 618 satellites. The OneWeb
constellation design calls for 588 satellites for
global coverage and additional satellites are
planned for resiliency and redundancy. Thanks to
today’s successful launch the constellation is in
place to soon deliver global services. By the
year-end, OneWeb will be ready to roll out global
coverage, enhancing its existing connectivity
solutions that are already live in regions north of
50-degrees latitude as it brings new areas online by
partnering with leading providers.
This mission marks OneWeb’s
second satellite deployment from India, highlighting
the strong partnership with NSIL and ISRO and
OneWeb’s commitment to provide connectivity across
the length and breadth of India. Once activated,
OneWeb’s coverage solutions will bring secured
connectivity to enterprises, towns, villages,
municipalities and schools, including the most
remote areas across the country.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Executive
Chairman of OneWeb, said: “In my work I have seen
the power of connectivity to bring benefits to all,
wherever they are. Yet half the world’s population
does not have access to fast, reliable connectivity.
Today’s launch represents a major step towards
closing the digital divide. OneWeb’s global
constellation will play a pivotal role in realising
this dream.
“I am particularly proud that
OneWeb has crossed the threshold to be able to
provide its global coverage in India, a country
whose ambitions in enhancing Space-based
connectivity are being driven by New Space India and
ISRO. Under the visionary leadership of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India’s
target to significantly expand access to high-speed
internet connectivity is vital, and OneWeb is
grateful for all the support and is delighted to be
playing its part. Overall, this is an incredibly
exciting time for the satellite connectivity
industry, and I am delighted that the UK and India
are at the forefront of developments."
“I would like to thank
colleagues, our partners, vendors, investors and
customers who have realised the potential of OneWeb
and made this launch possible. I am incredibly
excited for the future of OneWeb and the opportunity
its connectivity services provide to communities
globally.”
Shri. Somanath S, Secretary,
Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO, commented:
“This launch is very important milestone for ISRO as
we demonstrated the successful launch of second
consecutive commercial payload of OneWeb.
This valued customer trusted our capability
and we have proved it in a very short span of time.
This launch has created a new record in the Indian
space history. With this launch of LVM3, through the
New Space India Ltd, ISRO is confident of handling
many more such launches on demand for both LEO and
GEO mission in the future. I wish OneWeb a great
success in globalizing the completed constellation.
Radhakrishnan D,
Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NewSpace India
Limited, said: “Successful injection of 36 OneWeb
Gen-1 satellites from UK by LVM3 today, is an
extremely proud moment for NSIL and the entire ISRO
fraternity. NSIL, would like to
thank M/s OneWeb for believing in our capabilities
and giving us this important opportunity to
undertake the mission. We are doubly happy, as this
mission would mark the accomplishment of full
constellation and commencement of commercial
broadband services globally by M/s OneWeb. NSIL look
forward to be associated with M/s OneWeb not only in
the area of providing Launch solutions but also in
several other business endeavours that would benefit
both companies. We would like to extend our
heartfelt congratulations to the entire OneWeb’s
technical and management team."
UK Secretary of State for
Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan
said: “The completion of the LEO constellation is
hugely significant both for OneWeb and the UK’s
wider sector."
“We invested in OneWeb’s vision
to bridge the global digital divide, and our
burgeoning space sector is transforming the UK into
the perfect base for like-minded companies to
realise their stratospheric potential.
Neil Masterson, Chief Executive
of OneWeb, added: “This is the most significant
milestone in the history of OneWeb, as we reach the
satellites needed for global coverage. Over several
years we have remained focused on our commitment to
deliver coverage solutions for the customers and
communities that need it most. With today’s
satellite deployment, facilitated by our expert team
and our partners at ISRO and NSIL, we are realising
this central ambition.
“I would like to pay tribute to
all of my colleagues at OneWeb who have driven our
rapid momentum and progress over recent years. It is
thanks to them that we will be able to deliver
high-speed, low-latency connectivity around the
world later this year.”
|