Cancels Satellite Launch Due To Russian Ban, OneWeb Asks SpaceX For Help

JAKARTA - OneWeb has just asked SpaceX, Elon Musk's space company, to launch its satellite. This was forced to do after being banned from using Soyuz rockets, owned by Russia.

OneWeb is a satellite company partly owned by the UK. The communications company will partner with SpaceX for its first launch later this year. This launch adds to the 428 microsatellite it already has in low-earth orbit.

Through the SpaceX service, OneWeb will spend a standard $67 million or equivalent to IDR 962 billion to launch a Falcon 9 rocket.

OneWeb was forced to scrap its plans to launch one of Russia's Soyuz rockets earlier this month. Dmitry Rogozin, head of Russia's space agency, demanded that the satellites not be used for military purposes. The British government also stopped its financial support.

The chairman of the House of Commons Business Committee, Darren Jones, stated that it was inappropriate for OneWeb to take off from the launch pad at Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan after the invasion of Ukraine. Especially considering the British government's large stake in the business.

“We thank SpaceX for their support, which reflects our shared vision for the limitless potential of space. With this planned launch, we are on track to complete the construction of our complete satellite fleet. This satellite provides strong, fast and secure connectivity around the world", said OneWeb Chief Executive Neil Masterson as quoted by The Guardian, Tuesday, March 22.

This new deal is unique. SpaceX is the world's most prolific commercial launch provider. Competing with OneWeb actually helped him launch their satellite.

Currently, OneWeb markets its services to businesses rather than directly to consumers, as SpaceX did with Starlink. The first SpaceX launch of the OneWeb satellite is now scheduled for this year.

According to OneWeb, its internet satellite constellation has reached 428 satellites or about 66 percent of the total required by the company. The satellites will provide continuous coverage to places on the ground.

The company is working to attract customers and repay investors after the UK government and India's Bharti Global saved it from bankruptcy in 2020.

Meanwhile, SpaceX is still far ahead of its competitors in deploying its satellite internet constellation. About 2,000 SpaceX Starlink satellites are already in orbit and have customers around the world.

Earlier this month, SpaceX even delivered a Starlink ground terminal to the Ukrainian government amid the Russian invasion. This assistance allows the people of the country to stay online if Ukraine's Earth-based internet infrastructure is destroyed.