On March 25th, 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched 36 OneWeb broadband satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) using their Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) rocket from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This launch marks the completion of OneWeb’s first-generation broadband constellation, which now consists of 588 active satellites placed in 12 rings of 49 satellites each.
What is OneWeb Constellation?
OneWeb Constellation is a collaborative project between the UK-based OneWeb Group and ISRO, in partnership with NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL). Its aim is to provide high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity worldwide. The network provides high-speed, low-latency connectivity, enabling communities, enterprises, and governments worldwide to access the internet and connect with each other. OneWeb Constellation will bring secured solutions not only to enterprises but also to towns, villages, municipalities, and schools, including the hardest-to-reach areas across India.
Challenges of space-based broadband projects
1. Cost
- Building, launching, and maintaining a constellation of satellites is expensive
- Launching satellites into orbit is an expensive undertaking
2. Technical Issues
- Satellites must communicate with ground stations and with each other
- There are many technical challenges associated with designing, building, and operating a constellation of satellites
3. Environmental Concerns
- The increasing amount of debris in space can pose a risk to satellites and their operations
- It is important to consider debris mitigation strategies
4. Regulatory Issues
- Space-based broadband projects must comply with national and international regulations
- Regulations related to radio frequency interference, orbital debris, and spectrum allocation are important to consider
5. Competition
- Several companies and organizations are competing in the space-based broadband market
- The success of any particular project may depend on its ability to differentiate itself from its competitors and attract customers
Advantages of OneWeb broadband
- OneWeb broadband provides global coverage, connecting even the most remote and underserved areas of the world to the internet, bridging the digital divide and improving connectivity access.
- High-speed internet connectivity is provided through space-based broadband systems, which are crucial for applications such as video conferencing, cloud-based services, and real-time data transfer.
- Emergency communication services can be quickly deployed through space-based systems in the aftermath of natural disasters, helping to save lives and coordinate relief efforts more effectively.
- Compared to traditional satellite-based systems, space-based systems significantly reduce latency, making a significant difference in applications such as online gaming and virtual reality.
- Machine-to-machine communication and support for the Internet of Things (IoT) devices are possible with space-based broadband, important for industries such as agriculture, transportation, and logistics.
- Space-based broadband provides a redundant connection to users in areas where traditional broadband systems are unavailable, critical in emergency situations.
- Low latency and high-speed of space-based broadband networks improve connectivity for air and sea travel, enabling passengers to stay connected during their journey and improving safety for ships and planes.
- Space-based broadband systems can be scaled quickly and easily to meet increasing demand, essential in areas experiencing rapid population growth or where there is a sudden surge in demand due to an emergency or disaster.
Why In News
ISRO’s successful launch of satellites has completed the OneWeb constellation, which will provide high-speed internet connectivity to remote and underserved areas of the world, bridging the digital divide and enabling access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This achievement highlights the growing importance of space-based broadband systems in improving global connectivity and demonstrates ISRO’s technological prowess in the field of space exploration.
MCQs about OneWeb Satellites
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What is the goal of OneWeb Constellation project?
A. To provide high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity worldwide.
B. To launch satellites into space for scientific exploration.
C. To create a new form of transportation using space technology.
D. To establish a permanent human settlement on the Moon.
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What are the challenges associated with space-based broadband projects?
A. Cost, technical issues, environmental concerns, regulatory issues, and competition.
B. Low demand, limited coverage, low reliability, and high latency.
C. Lack of funding, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient resources.
D. Political instability, security concerns, and international disputes.
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What are some advantages of OneWeb broadband?
A. Global coverage, low latency, emergency communication, IoT support, redundancy, and scalability.
B. Low cost, high reliability, limited coverage, and low latency.
C. High demand, high revenue, and high profitability.
D. None of the above.
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