OneWeb Constellation

Why in news?

• In its second commercial launch, ISRO’s heaviest launch vehicle LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3) will launch a fleet of 36 OneWeb satellites, completing the first generation of the huge broadband constellation.?

More about the news:

• This will be the 18th launch of OneWeb and will add to the UK-based company's (OneWeb) existing constellation of 582 satellites.
• OneWeb has teamed up with New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO to facilitate the launch. NSIL had signed a contract with OneWeb to launch 72 satellites in two phases.
  • The first set of 36 satellites was launched in LVM3-M2/OneWeb India-1 mission in October 2022.
  • This is the second OneWeb fleet that India is launching.
• This initiated India’s journey into the commercial heavy lift-off space.

About OneWeb Constellation:

• It is a global communications network, powered from space, enabling connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities.  It has a goal to provide global broadband internet services by the end of 2023.
• OneWeb Constellation operates in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• The satellites are in a circular orbit, at 1,200 km altitude, and transmitting and receiving in the Ku-band radio frequency
• Satellites are arranged in 12 rings (Orbital planes) with 49 satellites in each plane.
• Each satellite completes a full trip around the earth every 109 minutes.
• The earth is rotating underneath satellites, so they will always be flying over new locations on the ground.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding ‘OneWeb satellite constellation’:

1. The satellites under this project are placed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

2. It is an indigenous project developed and executed by ISRO

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer