Another mission from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan has carried 34 OneWeb satellites into LEO. The Soyuz 2-1B Fregat vehicle lifted-off at 1807 GMT on 14 September marking the tenth mission in service of the OneWeb satellite broadband constellation. Once in orbit the Fregat upper-stage proceeded to deploy the satellites in batches into their approximately 450 km orbit, inclined at 87.4 degrees over 3 hours 45 minutes. Now, the satellites will have to propel themselves up to their operational orbit at 1,200 km.
This launch saw satellites numbered 289 – 322 deployed, meaning the planned 648-unit constellation is now precipitously close to its halfway mark.
The Soyuz 2-1B Fregat rocket lifts-off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, carrying the 34 OneWeb satellites. Courtesy of Roscosmos via YouTube
The next launch is planned to fly from Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia, on 14 October from where the Soyuz rocket will be able to carry 36 satellites into orbit.
