Satellite Boost: SpaceX Helps Eutelsat Strengthen OneWeb Network

On October 20, SpaceX gave a boost to Eutelsat's OneWeb satellite constellation by launching 20 spare satellites. These satellites will add resiliency to the network, which provides global broadband coverage. The launch occurred at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, with the satellites successfully contacting ground control after liftoff. Eutelsat now has 654 satellites in orbit for OneWeb, adding to their existing fleet of 36 geostationary satellites. This launch was crucial because ground infrastructure delays had been holding things up. Despite this, Eutelsat is confident about starting global services in the spring.

The satellites launched are identical to the ones already in OneWeb's first-generation constellation, built mainly by Airbus U. S. Space & Defense in Florida. Eutelsat has not revealed when they will introduce satellites with improved technology. They plan to start de-orbiting the current satellites in a couple of years as their lifespan nears an end. Eutelsat has the option to extend the life of the first-generation satellites to maintain service continuity while they explore options for their next-generation constellation. The Falcon 9's first-stage booster landed safely after the launch, marking SpaceX's 357th successful recovery. SpaceX has launched over 7, 000 satellites for its Starlink network and recently hit four million subscribers. Traditional geostationary operators like Eutelsat are now aiming to leverage multi-orbit networks to compete with Starlink for enterprise and government clients.

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