OneWeb Set First SpaceX Broadband Satellite Launch for 6th Dec 2022

British-registered space company OneWeb has today confirmed that its first use of SpaceX’s Falcon9 rocket will take place “no earlier than” Tuesday 6th December 2022, which will send 40 of their ultrafast low-latency broadband satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The operator has so far lofted 462 of their small c.150kg LEO based ultrafast (100Mbps+) and low-latency (sub-100ms) broadband satellites into space – orbiting at an around 1,200km above the Earth – and their initial plan is to build a constellation of 648 (588 for coverage and the rest are redundancy), which is enough for a good level of global coverage. This is currently due to complete by the end of 2023.

The most recent launch of 36 LEOs took place at the end of October 2022 via a LVM3 rocket from the NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) facility in Sriharikota, India. But OneWeb has also signed a contract with SpaceX (here), which operates the rival Starlink network, to help put part of their constellation into orbit. Until now we didn’t know precisely when that would occur.

Today OneWeb confirmed that they will launch 40 satellites with SpaceX no earlier than Tuesday, 6th December 2022, from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida (OneWeb’s 15th launch to-date).

OneWeb Statement

This launch will add another 40 satellites to OneWeb’s 648 LEO satellite fleet, almost 80% of its first-generation constellation that will deliver global wholesale connectivity for its partners. This milestone mission marks OneWeb’s first time launching from Florida, where its satellites are also produced by OneWeb Satellites – a joint venture between OneWeb and Airbus.

The launch will enable the company to significantly expand service and initiate additional connectivity solutions soon for partners across the U.S., Europe and much of the Middle East and Asia, representing all points north of the 35th parallel. The expansion of the OneWeb fleet will also enable coverage between the South Pole and the 35th parallel south, opening up connectivity services in Southern Australia, South Africa and parts of South America.

OneWeb’s connectivity solutions are already active in Alaska, Canada, the UK, Greenland and wider Arctic area to provide internet connectivity to unserved and underserved rural and remote communities and businesses.

The launch itself will take place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida and is scheduled to take place no earlier than 6th December 2022 at 10:37PM GMT.