Eutelsat Launches First Satellites Since OneWeb Merger

Tom Jowitt,
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SpaceX rocket blasts off on Sunday with 20 satellites to expand the Eutelsat/OneWeb communications network

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Eutelsat Group has successfully launched and deployed 20 satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), further expanding the OneWeb communications constellation.

The Paris-based Eutelsat is the world’s third-biggest satellite operator by revenue, after it merged with British satellite internet firm OneWeb, which for years has been launching satellites to deliver satellite connectivity to the northern hemisphere.

OneWeb intends to have a 648 LEO (low Earth orbit) satellite fleet that will deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity, covering the UK, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic Seas and Canada.

NASA's Europa Clipper mission lifts off aboard SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in October 2024. Image credit: NASA
NASA’s Europa Clipper mission lifts off aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Image credit: NASA

OneWeb constellation

As of January 2023, OneWeb had launched 544 satellites, with 542 being functional.

At the time of the merger, Eutelsat said it would combine its 36-strong fleet of GEO satellites with OneWeb’s constellation.

As of October 2024 Eutelsat/OneWeb currently has a constellation of over 600 low earth orbit satellites for clients including government and TV broadcasters. Its satellites operate from a higher geostationary orbit, as distinct from the lower orbit used by firms such as Elon Musk’s Starlink.

OneWeb had previously launched most of its satellites from Russian facilities, but when Russia had launched its unprovoked war against Ukraine in February 2022, the huge wave of global condemnation and sanctions against Russia indirectly impacted OneWeb launches.

Moscow had demanded the UK government give up its special OneWeb shareholding acquired during its bankruptcy during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UK government refused Moscow’s demands.

SpaceX launch

Now according to Eutelsat, the new OneWeb satellites were launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 which lifted off at 10:13 pm PT (local) on 19 October from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX confirmed the launch with a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).

The satellites apparently separated successfully from the vehicle and were dispensed in 10 batches over a period of 20 minutes, with signal acquisition confirmed on all 20 satellites. The satellites were built by Airbus US Space & Defense in Merritt Island, Florida.

“We are delighted to see the successful launch and deployment of new OneWeb satellites,” said Eva Berneke, CEO of Eutelsat Group. “These satellites will strengthen our network services, improving overall performance for our customers.”

“As we celebrate the anniversary of the merger with Eutelsat and OneWeb, we are excited by the growing demand for our multi-orbit services, and we remain committed to delivering value for our customers and shareholders,” said Berneke. “I want to thank and congratulate the teams at Eutelsat Group and SpaceX for their hard work to facilitate this launch.”