Berlin, 21 September 2020. – OneWeb intends to resume its satellite launches on Soyuz in December 2020 and has amended its existing launch contracts with Arianespace, the London-based operator said today. The new plan removes two Soyuz launches and the inaugural Ariane-6 flight.
“Launches for OneWeb are scheduled to resume in December 2020, putting the company on track to complete the deployment of its full global constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites by the end of 2022,” OneWeb said.
“The amended agreement with Arianespace provides for 16 launches placing another 34-36 satellites per launch into OneWeb’s growing constellation. OneWeb’s return-to-flight launch in December will increase OneWeb’s in-orbit fleet to 110 satellites.”
OneWeb plans to commence commercial services by the end of 2021. Initial regions will include the UK, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic seas and Canada.
The amended agreement remains subject to confirmation and consummation of OneWeb’s restructuring plan, the company added and described the contract amendments as “an important milestone for OneWeb as it plans to emerge from the Chapter 11, with HM Government and Bharti Global as the prevailing bidders in OneWeb’s bankruptcy sale process.”
OneWeb anticipates the closing of the planned sale of the company in Q4 2020, subject to confirmation and consummation of OneWeb’s restructuring plan, court approval and regulatory consents, OneWeb said.
