Internet via Space

In its mission to provide an affordable global gateway for Internet access, the consortium known as OneWeb recently came one step closer to solidifying its plans with the recent announcement that Airbus will be building the 900 satellites needed for the project. Initial deployment calls for 648 of them to be placed in a constellation circling the earth, and logically interlocking with each other to cover the entire planet with high-speed access. The remainder will be kept in reserve to be used as replacements as necessary.

Many of the most important aspects of our lives depend on communication, including education, the creative flow of ideas, and emergency or disaster relief. Yet half the world still has no way to connect. The objective of OneWeb is to change that by bridging the gaps in existing infrastructure. Whether the need is to broaden rural coverage or to restore connectivity that has been interrupted by weather, natural disasters, or other sudden crises, OneWeb’s architecture will be compatible with any provider to extend their network utilizing a priority spectrum allocated by the United Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

But accessibility is only half the story. The OneWeb initiative has also ushered in a new approach to satellite production that utilizes fewer components, so they’re easier to build and cheaper to launch. With on-board propulsion and GPS sensors, OneWeb satellites can steer clear of obstacles and always know their position within meters. And at the end of their service life, they will automatically leave orbit to minimize debris and maximize existing space assets. The first satellites are due to launch in 2018.