OneWeb Satellite Constellation

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Context

Describing the simultaneous placement of 36 OneWeb satellites in space a week ago as a major feat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on said the move would strengthen digital connectivity across the whole country.

Background

One Web

OneWeb (legally Network Access Associates Ltd) is a communications company that aims to build broadband satellite Internet services.
The company is headquartered in London, with offices in California, Florida, Virginia, Dubai and Singapore.

OneWeb satellite constellation

The OneWeb satellite constellation is a planned initial 648-satellite internet constellation which is in the process of being completed in 2022. It has a goal to provide global broadband internet services by the end of 2023.
The constellation is being deployed by

One Web satellites launched by ISRO

A few days back ISRO successfully deployed 36 One Web satellites. It was launched by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC- SHAR) in Sriharikota, India.
This launch by ISRO and NSIL is one of the biggest commercial orders by India’s premier space organization, and the first using the LVM3 rocket.
This launch brings the total of OneWeb’s constellation to 462 satellites, representing more than 70% of its planned 648 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite fleet that will deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity worldwide.

Final Thought

With only four more launches to go, OneWeb remains on track to activate global coverage by 2023, while its connectivity solutions are already live in regions north of 50-degrees latitude.
The partnership with NSIL and ISRO demonstrates OneWeb’s commitment to provide connectivity across the length and breadth of India by 2023.
From Ladakh to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh, OneWeb will bring secured solutions not only to enterprises but also to towns, villages, municipalities and schools, including the hardest-to-reach areas across the country.

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of Government of India and commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was established on 6 March 2019 under the administrative control of Department of Space (DoS) and the Company Act 2013. The main objective of NSIL is to scale up private sector participation in Indian space programmes.

Read about LVM3: https://iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/launch-vehicle-mark-3-lvm3