OneWeb wants to encircle the planet with around 900 smallish satellites to provide global broadband access. OneWeb wants to start launching its first satellites this winter, but a key part of its overall launch strategy is their use of Russian rockets.

Russian news site Kommersant reports that Russia’s space agency Roscosmos is likely to lose its existing $1 billion launch contract which covers 21 Soyuz rockets to be deployed between 2019-2021 from three launch sites: Baikonur (Kazakhstan), Vostochny (Russia) and Kourou (French Guiana).

The problems have come about because of objections by Russia’s FSB (its Federal Security Service) and which says the launches are a threat to national security.
…..

Other posts by :

1. Crossroads backs AST SpaceMobile
2. FCC examines SpaceX’s 15,000 sat-constellation plan
3. EchoStar: “Severe uncertainty” led to spectrum sales
4. Netflix gets downgrade on Warner Bros move
5. UK trims Orbex investment
6. Euro-bank sets up €500m space fund
7. Revenue jump forecast for Eutelsat
8. Moody’s upgrades Eutelsat’s debt rating
9. Rivada Space Networks wins spectrum dispute

Categories: Articles, Broadband, Satellite