Arianspace
A model of a OneWeb satellite. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett.

European company Arianespace has provided an update on the launch of 36 OneWeb constellation satellites from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome.

On 18 December, Arianespace and its Starsem affiliate will conduct a medium-lift Soyuz 2-1b launch with the satellites into low-Earth orbit.

Flight ST29 is the designated Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system for the mission.

RUAG Space-developed Flight ST29’s dispenser system, which is filled with the satellites cluster, has been installed on its re-ignitable Fregat upper stage.

The mission will last less than three hours, 52 minutes, and will release the satellite passengers in nine deployment sequences.

The OneWeb satellites will be delivered into a near-polar orbit at an altitude of 450km.

OneWeb’s mission is to deliver global communications capabilities and bring seamless connectivity.

Soyuz’s total payload lift performance for the launch is 5,810kg, including the spacecraft, dispenser and integration hardware.

According to Arianespace, the Soyuz 2-1b launcher version features a digital control system, an enlarged 4.1m-diameter ST payload fairing, and a re-ignitable Fregat upper stage.

OneWeb Satellites is the prime contractor for OneWeb’s constellation. It is a joint venture formed by OneWeb and Airbus Defence and Space.

Arianespace has already delivered a total of 74 satellites into low Earth orbit for the connectivity constellation.

The company launched 34 OneWeb satellites in March.