India launches 36 internet satellites delayed by Ukraine war
- Lift-off from southern India was first launch for London-based OneWeb since breaking with the Russian Space Agency over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine
- Sunday’s OneWeb satellite launches relied on India’s heaviest rocket, normally reserved for government spacecraft. Previous flights used Russian rockets
India launched a rocket carrying 36 private internet satellites early on Sunday, stepping in to keep the orbital constellation growing after a months-long interruption related to the war in Ukraine.
The lift-off from southern India was the first launch for London-based OneWeb since breaking from the Russian Space Agency in March because of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We have accomplished the orbit very accurately, now the rocket is in its intended orbit,” said S. Somanath, the chairperson of India’s space agency. He said 16 satellites were put into orbit and expressed optimism that “the remaining 20 satellites will get separated as safely as the first of the 16.”
OneWeb now has 462 satellites flying – more than 70 per cent of what the company said it needs to provide broadband services around the world. Despite this year’s disruption, OneWeb said it remains on track to activate global coverage next year with a planned constellation of 648 satellites. It’s already providing service in the northernmost latitudes.
Each OneWeb satellite weighs about 150 kilograms (330 pounds).
It was the 14th launch of OneWeb satellites and relied on India’s heaviest rocket, normally reserved for government spacecraft. All of the previous OneWeb flights were on Russian rockets; the first was in 2019.