OneWeb to setup satellite network portal site in Gujarat

Why in news?

• The Gujarat government’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with One Web India Communications Pvt Ltd to establish a ‘satellite network portal site’ in Mehsana, Gujarat.

More about the news:

• The portal site will serve as a signal and data downlink and uplink terminal or base station on the ground, an intermediary for data transmission through satellite tracking antenna systems.
• With this, the portal site will aim to provide affordable connectivity to various sectors including the government, offering continuous and secure satellite internet at affordable rates nationwide. 
• The decision to set up the satellite network portal site in Gujarat was based on geographical and business interests, with Gujarat’s long coastline making it suitable for maritime sector coverage.

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.
• India’s Bharti Enterprises is a major investor in OneWeb group.

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