OneWeb is to restart its launch programme with Arianespace.
The amended agreement with Arianespace sees launches resume in December 2020, increasing OneWeb’s in-orbit fleet to 110 satellites. A further 16 launches will place another 34–36 satellites per launch to complete the deployment of its full global constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites by the end of 2022.
Commercial services are planned to be introduced by the end of 2021. Initial regions will include: The UK, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic seas and Canada.
The amended agreement remains subject to confirmation and consummation of OneWeb’s restructuring plan, as it plans to emerge from Chapter 11 protection, with HM Government and Bharti Global as the prevailing bidders in OneWeb’s bankruptcy sale process.
OneWeb anticipates the closing of the planned sale of the company in Q4 2020, subject to confirmation and consummation of OneWeb’s restructuring plan, court approval and regulatory consents.
