OneWeb, a subsidiary of the Bharti Group, Partners With ISRO To Launch Satellites Beginning in 2022
Monday, October 11, 2021 | Chimniii Desk
Highlights
- OneWeb, which is backed by the Bharti Group, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), to launch its satellite in India beginning in 2022.
- The agreement was reached via a letter of intent (LOI) with NSIL to use the Indian-built PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and the heavier GSLV-MkIII (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) as potential platforms for launching OneWeb's satellites in India beginning in 2022, according to the statement.
- The company is currently constructing its initial constellation of 648 low-earth orbit satellites and has already launched 322 satellites.
- Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman of OneWeb, stated that ISRO has developed formidable launch capabilities, and India is one of a select group of countries with a track record of successful launches.
- The company has launched 322 satellites into orbit in less than a year.
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OneWeb, which is backed by the Bharti Group, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), to launch its satellite in India beginning in 2022. The agreement was reached via a letter of intent (LOI) with NSIL to use the Indian-built PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and the heavier GSLV-MkIII (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) as potential platforms for launching OneWeb's satellites in India beginning in 2022, according to the statement.
"The non-binding letter of intent was unveiled in the presence of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi at the launch of the Indian Space Association (ISpA)," it stated.
OneWeb is a founding member of ISpA, which aims to serve as the collective voice of India's space and satellite companies and will collaborate with stakeholders to develop the country's space ecosystem.
The company is currently constructing its initial constellation of 648 low-earth orbit satellites and has already launched 322 satellites.
It intends to begin operations this year in the Arctic region, which includes Alaska, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and in India in the second half of 2022.
"By late 2022, OneWeb's high-speed, low-latency connectivity services will be available in India and throughout the world. Satellites already in orbit are undergoing service testing. OneWeb and NSIL intend to convert the letter of intent into a binding agreement as soon as possible after receiving all necessary approvals from their respective boards," the statement stated.
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Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman of OneWeb, stated that ISRO has developed formidable launch capabilities, and India is one of a select group of countries with a track record of successful launches.
"OneWeb will be delighted to leverage ISRO's proven platforms to carry broadband connectivity across the earth, oceans, and sky," Mittal said.
The company has launched 322 satellites into orbit in less than a year.
"On October 14th, OneWeb will launch its 11th satellite, carrying an additional 36 satellites," the statement said.
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