Eutelsat Strengthens LEO Network with SpaceX Launch.
Vandenberg Space Force Base, California: SpaceX successfully launched 20 additional OneWeb satellites on October 20th, 2023, bolstering the resilience of Eutelsat’s low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband network. This launch marks a significant step towards Eutelsat’s goal of providing global broadband coverage.
The Falcon 9 rocket, lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 1:13 a.m. Eastern, successfully deployed the satellites into orbit. Eutelsat confirmed successful contact with each satellite, bringing the total number of OneWeb satellites in orbit to 654.
While the constellation already offers global coverage, ground infrastructure delays have hindered full service deployment. Eutelsat remains optimistic, aiming to initiate global services in the spring of 2024.
The launched satellites are identical to the first-generation OneWeb satellites, primarily manufactured by Airbus U.S. Space & Defense in Merritt Island, Florida.
Eutelsat, renowned for its fleet of 36 geostationary satellites, has adopted a phased approach to its next-generation constellation deployment. The company has not disclosed specific timelines for introducing advanced LEO spacecraft.
As the first-generation OneWeb satellites approach the end of their lifespan, Eutelsat plans to initiate de-orbiting procedures in the next few years. To ensure uninterrupted service, the company may extend the operational life of these satellites while exploring options for the next-generation constellation.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first-stage booster successfully landed at Vandenberg, marking its 357th successful recovery. The company continues to dominate the LEO satellite launch market, with over 7,000 Starlink satellites in orbit and a subscriber base exceeding four million.
Eutelsat and other traditional geostationary satellite operators aim to leverage the advantages of multi-orbit networks, including enhanced flexibility and resilience, to compete effectively with Starlink in the enterprise and government markets.
