ONE WEB SATELLITE
- November 21, 2020
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Subject: Science & tech
Context: UK joins with Bharti to take control of failed space start-up OneWeb, a low earth orbit satellite operator.
Concept:
- OneWeb’s emergence from distressed businesses use to reorganise themselves, gives a significant boost to the UK’s ambitions to become a major commercial space player and to develop cutting-edge positioning technology that could be used to cement international security alliances.
- The company was one of the earliest to propose a mega-constellation to deliver internet to remote parts of the world but SpaceX’s Starlink constellation already has about 800 satellites in low-earth orbit against OneWeb’s 74.
- The initial focus will be to deliver a viable commercial internet service to the UK and the Arctic region by autumn next year.
- One Web intends to launch 36 more satellites on December 17 and will accelerate launches next year to complete its target of having 650 satellites in orbit by 2022 for its global coverage.
- Goal will be to launch global commercial internet service focusing on remote areas by 2022.