Airtel Satellite Internet Coming Soon, As ISRO Rockets To Launch OneWeb In Space

UK-based global communication satellite company OneWeb, of which Bharti Airtel is the largest shareholder, has entered into an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation to launch its satellites aboard its heaviest launch vehicle GSLV-MK III, as well as PSLV.

ISRO

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Reported first by ET,?OneWeb is planning to build a constellation of 650 satellites in lower-earth orbit (LEO) which would offer internet connectivity through space, much like SpaceX’s Starlink. As of now, it has launched 322 such satellites and is looking to now use ISRO’s services to launch some more of its satellites to take its launching capabilities to the next level.?

This collaboration will result in OneWeb becoming the first private company to launch satellites using ISRO’s GSLV-MK III launch vehicle. The rocket can easily carry and launch up to ten tonnes into lower-earth orbit and four tonnes into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.?

The announcement was made by Sunil Bharti Mittal at the launch of the Indian Space Association,? “I’m glad to share with all of you today that we’ve (OneWeb) entered into an arrangement to use the workhorse of Isro - the PSLV, and importantly the new rocket they’re bringing out, of a very large payload capacity, GSLV MK III, to launch OneWeb satellites from the Indian soil.”

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Reuters

Mittal concluded by stating that OneWeb would launch its services in India in the middle of 2022, “OneWeb, which has got only 322 satellites in space, will be providing its services in the middle of next year to the entire country - from oceans, deserts, forests and importantly, the rural hinterland.”

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