Launches

OneWeb Launch Programme:
Launch #6: April, 2021
OneWeb's sixth launch takes place in April, 2021, from Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome. This will be the third in a five-launch programme that will enable OneWeb’s connectivity solution to be service ready by year's end across the United Kingdom, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic Seas and Canada.

Launch #5: March, 2021
OneWeb's fifth launch took place on 25 March, 2021 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, and saw an additional 36 satellites added to the constellation. The launch was livestreamed starting from 2:30AM UTC on OneWeb's social media platforms shortly before the scheduled lift-off at 2:47AM UTC.

Launch #4: December 2020
OneWeb’s fourth launch on 18 December 2020, was carried about by Arianespace from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. After confirming successful launch and contact with all 36 satellites, the latest deployment brings the in-orbit constellation to 110 satellites and puts OneWeb on track to launch regional commercial service in 2021 and global service in 2022.




Launch Lingo
You may hear these words often when you tune in to our Launch Day coverage, or view it on replay.
Here's a glossary to make this launch (and the many more that will follow) easy to understand...
Dispenser: a tube inside the rocket, right underneath the faring, designed to host the satellites.
Fregat: the type of upper stage used by Soyuz rockets. It has a liquid propellant engine.
Launch base: another word for space port; where the rocket takes off from.
Mass frequency simulators: replica satellites of a similar weight used as a ballast of sorts to balance the rocket.
OBC: on board computer, usually in the context of the spacecraft.
Orbit: the curved path of the satellites moving around the earth.
Payload fairing: the pointy section at the top of the rocket, it is usually used to protect the rocket from pressure and heat.
Payload subsystem: the part of the satellite that executes the mission of the satellite.
Payload: the satellite's mission in space. For OneWeb, it is to provide a link between ground stations and user terminals.
Propulsion subsystem: the system within a satellite that allows it to move through space.
Solar arrays: a collection of solar panels used to generate electricity. This is how the satellites are powered.
Spacecraft: a vehicle designed to travel within outer space, in this case the satellites before they reach orbit.
Telemetry: the collection of data at remote points and their transmission to be monitored.
Thrust maneuver: when satellites activate their thrusters to move. This may be done to correct or change orbit and in some cases to avoid collisions.
Umbilical: a connector that allows power, liquids, gases and signals to be transmitted to the rocket while on the launch pad.
Umbilical release: when the umbilical connector detaches prior to launch to allow the spacecraft to take off freely.
Upper stage: the part of the rocket that propels the payload once in space.

Committed to Responsible Space
Space as a natural resource is providing local connectivity on a truly global scale. At OneWeb we believe everyone should have access and be able to participate in this digital world.
This story is bigger than OneWeb. We want to collaborate so that everyone can benefit, and we are committed to inspiring others everywhere to learn more about Space, science and sustainability. Connect with OneWeb to find out more!
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