OneWeb’s low-Earth orbiting mega-constellation will launch satellites on an Indian rocket in October. Another rocket in January 2023 will deliver satellites for the OneWeb mission.
In agreement with OneWeb, Dr. S Somanath, Chairman of India’s Space Research Organization (ISRO), acknowledged that the October launch will be one of the first tests for the rocket.
PSLV Mk3 rockets are larger versions of the well-known GSLV. Its main advantage lies in its ability to carry payloads with a weight up to 1750 kg, while its more powerful GSLV can carry payloads that weigh up to 4 tons and detach them in geostationary transfer orbits.
Throughout India, Hughes Network Systems LLC (Hughes), a leader in satellite and multi-transport technologies and networks for more than 50 years, and OneWeb, a low-earth orbit satellite communications company, have signed an agreement to provide low-earth orbit (LEO) connectivity services. It follows OneWeb’s Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2021 between Hughes and Bharti Airtel Limited (“Airtel”), a joint venture between Hughes and HCIPL.
Since HCIPL is India’s top satellite broadband provider, it can supply OneWeb services to an increasing number of businesses and government clients, particularly in areas with limited fiber access. It is planned to connect towns, villages, and locally and regionally based municipalities in the most difficult-to-reach places, thus bridging the digital divide in the most remote areas.
“This announcement marks a turning point for Digital India,” said Partho Banerjee, president, and managing director at HCIPL. Several enterprises and government customers are eagerly anticipating the launch of new high-performance Satcom services, such as telecom providers, banks, factories, schools, defense organizations, domestic airlines, and offshore vessel operators. We are looking forward to bringing them high-speed, low-latency services from HCIPL using OneWeb capacity and launch India to the cutting edge of connectivity.”
Neil Masterson, CEO of OneWeb, said, “OneWeb is delighted to join Hughes to offer satellite broadband solutions that are high in speed and low in latency, contributing to the World Bank’s Digital India vision.”. It will offer security solutions to enterprises, governments, telecom companies, airline companies, and maritime customers across India, from Ladakh to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to the Northeast. As part of its commitment to light up its services in India, OneWeb intends to establish enabling infrastructure such as Gateways and Points of Contact.”
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