Arianespace launched 34 new satellites to space via Soyuz ST-B rocket on Thursday. The satellites would serve as an addition to the wider constellation of channels for a broadband connection led by the British global communications company OneWeb.
The launch is the beginning to provide a better internet service anywhere around the world, according to the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
Arianespace and Roscomos Launched Soyuz Rocket to Deliver OneWeb Satellites to Space
NEWQUAY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02 : A OneWeb satellite is diaplyed on the opening day of the Story of a Satellite summer exhibition at Spaceport Cornwall on Aug 2, 2021 in Newquay, England. Spaceport Cornwall is aiming to launch its first satellites in spring of 2022.
European launch provider Arianespace conducted its first mission in 2022, sending the Soyuz Flight VS27 straight from French Guiana's Space Center in Kourou. The launch commenced at 1:09 PM EST. Commentator Georgie Barrat hosted the live streaming of the launch.
OneWeb's Thursday flight is the company's 13th flight for the program.
Arianespace said in a press release that the total scope of the mission ran for 3 hours and 33 minutes. In addition, it will proceed with a series of nine satellite operations. The broadband devices will be lifted higher into orbit where they will operate.
OneWeb's latest flight delivered the company's latest broadband satellites meant to be mediums for several industries that heavily rely on communications. Several agencies will benefit from the satellites, including governments, aviation, maritime, and emergency responses, according to Arianespace.
OneWeb said that their 13th space flight aimed to ensure that their signal devices would not affect and harm the new wave of connectivity in the future, improving the experience of the generations that will utilize the satellites while providing assistance to everyone.
OneWeb is vocal about its projects. They promote efficient missions and follow an established guideline under 'responsible space' management.
Its innovative culture drives them to create concepts that will cater to subjects such as orbital debris and satellite designs.
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OneWeb's Satellite Constellation
Like SpaceX and Blue Origin, OneWeb is among the private space enterprises currently facing criticism due to the impact of space debris generation and interference to astronomical studies relying on observations and imaging.
Satellite mega constellations are among the modern-day problem of the satellite business. In the latest months, the International Astronomical Union, U.S. National Science Foundation's National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), and the Square Kilometer Array Observatory collaborated to develop the Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation to address the threats from megaconstellations.
Thursday's launch was successfully carried out by Soyuz rocket. At the moment, OneWeb's satellite constellation on-orbit totals 428 pieces. In 2022, the company aims to complete its 648 satellite target on space.
OneWeb's next launch is expected to commence on March 5 and be carried once again by the Soyuz rocket. According to a report by Space, the estimated satellite count that will be lifted next month could be around 36. The launch will be held at Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome.
PhysOrg reported that Arianespace and their almost two-decade partner Roscosmos will also be conducting separate Soyuz launches in 2022, completing the 16 flights that began in December 2020 and will end this year.
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