OneWeb to pause launches for redesign
February 11, 2020
By Chris Forrester
Last week an Arianespace Soyuz rocket launched 34 satellites into orbit. OneWeb says its launch cadence will be a little slower this spring to allow for modifications to the satellites rolling off its Florida production line.
Next month’s (March) launch will go ahead as planned and is expected to carry another 30+ satellites into orbit, but it will then skip a month with another pause likely after two slated for May and June.
CEO Adrian Steckel told trade newspaper Space News in an interview that the delays are for ongoing minor modifications to the satellites under production but will not impact global coverage scheduled for the end of 2021.