A Soyuz 2-1b/Fregat was launch from Vostochny in Eastern Russia at 1226 GMT on 18 December carrying 36 OneWeb communications satellites as part of the Anglo-Indian owned mobile communications constellation . The satellites were deployed into a near polar orbit in batches of four. The launch end the temporary hiatus in OneWeb launches due to its financial difficulties. Now saved by new financial investiment, not least from the British Government which now owns a half share in the business, the delivery missions are flying again.
Soyuz 2-1b third stage makes its burn in this still from a computer generated animation with the gold coloured Fregat stage ready to depart for its delivery mission (shown packed). Courtesy: OneWeb
