After Fallout With Russia, SpaceX Rival Launches 36 Satellites Aboard India's Big Rocket

Despite suffering a frustrating setback earlier this year, OneWeb has resumed its plans to build an internet constellation.

The British company used India's heaviest rocket to launch 36 of its internet satellites on Saturday. The Indian Space Research Organization's rocket took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in India. There is an hour and a half later. The launch was the first commercial one for the rocket.

OneWeb said on Sunday that all 36 of its satellites are operational, bringing the total number of satellites to. The full constellation is expected to be completed by mid-2023 The launch of OneWeb is a significant milestone according to the executive chairman. This new phase of our launch program from India brings us a step closer to enhancing our global coverage but also delivering connectivity in India and South Asia to the communities who need it most.

After ending its contract with Russia's space agency, OneWeb halted the launch of its internet satellites. The relationship between the company and Russia deteriorated after the Russian invasion of Ukrainian. OneWeb's satellites were refused to be launched unless the company agreed to a number of demands. Russia held on to the company's 36 satellites and kept them at a storage facility.

OneWeb had to find alternative rides because of the situation. The company signed contracts with its internet constellation rival, as well as India's space agency, for the last six launches of its first generation satellites.

OneWeb is building a constellation of satellites that will provide internet access to the world by the end of the year. OneWeb lost $229 million due to the cancellation of the Soyuz launches and the 36 satellites that are being held by Russia. Plans are in the works to send another 36 satellites to space in January of next year.