Launches

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.