26 April 2021
"Five to 50"
The sixth satellite launch was a success!
After the last launch took place yesterday 25 April and after confirming contact with all 36 satellites launched into orbit, OneWeb's LEO constellation reaches 182, a further step towards the start of the distribution of the service planned for the end of year.
This was the 3rd launch of 5 of the program called "Five to 50" to arrive at the provision of the service of the regions north of 50 degrees of latitude: United Kingdom, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Sea and Canada.
The take-off took place yesterday, April 25 at 23:14 BST again from Arianespace, from the Cosmodrome of Vostochny (Russia).
"We're excited to announce the success of our 6th launch, with the deployment of 36 satellites by Arianespace taking our total satellite constellation to 182. This is the third of five launches that will enable us to deliver connectivity services north of 50 degrees latitude by the end of 2021, as we work towards a 648 LEO satellite fleet that will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity. Thanks to our incredible team, our partners especially OneWeb Satellites and our staff who have come together to make it happen."
"These are exciting times at OneWeb as we get ever closer to bringing our connectivity services to some of the world’s hardest to reach places. With this third successful launch in our 'Five to 50' program, we are rapidly building momentum: we are launching more satellites, demonstrating the network, and announcing more distribution signings around the globe. We have a world class team and product, and alongside our supportive shareholders, OneWeb continues to work towards bringing connectivity to everyone, everywhere. " - OneWeb CEO Neil Masterson
Intermatica is the first OneWeb commercial partner
Launch summary:
- 1st launch: February 2019 - 6 satellites launched into orbit aboard a Soyuz launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
- 2nd launch: February 2020 - 34 satellites (manufactured by the Florida factory) launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
- 3rd launch: March 2020 - 34 more satellites, aboard a Soyuz launch vehicle from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.
- 4th launch: December 2020 - another 36 satellites, aboard a Soyuz Arianespace launch vehicle from the Vostochny Cosmodrome (Russia).
- 5th launch: March 2021 - another 36 satellites, aboard a Soyuz Arianespace launch vehicle from the Vostochny Cosmodrome (Russia).
