OneWeb Satellites
OneWeb's satellite constellation is designed to operate in low Earth orbit (LEO), at an altitude of approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles). This positioning allows the satellites to provide lower latency compared to traditional geostationary satellites, making the network more efficient for internet services. The constellation is expected to consist of around 648 operational satellites, with additional spares in orbit to ensure network reliability.

The first batch of six OneWeb satellites was launched in February 2019 aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Center. These initial satellites were used to test and validate the system’s performance. Following the acquisition by the UK government and Bharti Global, OneWeb resumed its launches and continued to build its constellation.

OneWeb's satellites are designed to communicate with each other through inter-satellite links, which helps maintain network connectivity even if a ground station is not immediately accessible. End users will connect to the OneWeb network via small user terminals, which can be installed in various locations, including homes, businesses, and mobile platforms like ships and airplanes.

OneWeb Company
OneWeb is a communications company founded in 2012 by Greg Wyler, with the aim of developing a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide global internet coverage, especially in underserved and remote areas. Originally called "WorldVu," the company was later rebranded as OneWeb. Wyler, leveraging his experience in satellite communications, envisioned creating a satellite network capable of delivering internet access to almost any location on Earth.

In 2015, OneWeb attracted substantial investments from major companies such as Qualcomm, Virgin Group, and Coca-Cola. These funds enabled OneWeb to move forward with its ambitious satellite development plans. The company partnered with Airbus to manufacture the satellites, with production set up in Toulouse, France. Additionally, OneWeb collaborated with launch providers like Arianespace to deploy its satellites into space.

Despite early progress, OneWeb faced financial challenges due to the high costs associated with satellite deployment. In March 2020, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leading to a temporary halt in its operations. However, in November 2020, the UK government and Bharti Global acquired OneWeb, allowing the company to exit bankruptcy and resume its satellite launches. By the end of 2021, OneWeb had successfully deployed over 350 satellites as part of its constellation.

Photo courtesy of OneWeb.

Meet Roscosmos’s 21st-century upgrade of the Soyuz rocket: the Soyuz 2.1b.

One of the most significant advancements in this variant is the completely digital flight control system, a major technological leap for a rocket family originally designed in the 1960s.

Specs

Height: 46.3 m (152 ft)

Diameter: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)

Mass: 312,000 kg (688,000 lb)

Stages: 2 or 3

The digital flight control system enhances launch precision and target accuracy, making the Soyuz 2.1b more reliable for a wide range of missions.

Additionally, this variant features an upgraded Blok-I second-stage engine, the RD-0124, which provides improved performance and efficiency over earlier models.

The Soyuz 2.1b was the second of three Soyuz 2 variants to enter service, making its debut launch on December 27, 2006.

Two Names, Two Flags

This rocket flies under two different names, depending on the launch operator:

- Soyuz 2.1b: When launching under Roscosmos from Baikonur or Plesetsk.

- Soyuz ST-B: When sold to Arianespace for European launches. This version includes European modifications, such as a European payload adapter and a European flight termination system.

Image: ESA

Site 31/6 – Baikonur Cosmodrome

Site 31/6 has been an active launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome since January 14, 1961. Over its long history, it has supported launches of numerous Soviet and Russian rockets, including the R-7A, Vostok, Voskhod, Polyot, Molniya, and earlier versions of the Soyuz family. Originally constructed as a backup to Site 1/5 (Gagarin's Start), it has become a crucial launch facility, especially for uncrewed satellite and robotic missions.

Currently, Site 31/6 is used exclusively for launching the Soyuz-2 rocket family, including Soyuz-2.1a, Soyuz-2.1b, and Soyuz-2.1v. As Russia transitioned from the Soyuz-FG rocket to the digital flight-controlled Soyuz-2.1a, the pad began supporting crewed Soyuz MS missions to the International Space Station (ISS) in April 2020, ensuring continued access to orbit for Russian and international astronauts.

Baikonur Cosmodrome

Located in southern Kazakhstan, Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world’s first and largest operational spaceport. It is historically significant as the launch site of Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite, in 1957, and Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering human spaceflight on April 12, 1961.

Initially constructed as the primary launch base of the Soviet Union, Baikonur remained a key spaceflight center after the USSR’s dissolution. In 1994, the newly independent Kazakhstan leased Baikonur to Russia under a long-term agreement, currently extended until 2050. The site continues to host a wide range of missions, from crewed spaceflights to interplanetary probes.

Baikonur is jointly operated by Roscosmos, the Russian federal space agency, and the Russian Aerospace Forces, the military branch responsible for space operations. While Russia is shifting some launches to its newer Vostochny Cosmodrome, Baikonur remains the primary launch site for Soyuz human spaceflight missions and numerous commercial and government payloads.

Image courtesy of GK Launch Services / Roscosmos