OneWeb claims that its high-volume production facility can complete two satellites per day.
OneWeb Satellites, a joint venture between OneWeb and Airbus, has recently launched a Florida manufacturing plant to provide “high-volume, high-speed” fabrication of satellites upscale its network of small communications satellites.
The company says that unlike traditional satellite manufacturing – a low-volume procedure that can cost millions per year – OneWeb Satellites will use industrial-scale mass-production methods, which will minimise expenses and yield two satellites being completed per day.
According to OneWeb Satellites CEO Tony Gingiss, this assist the firm in expanding its in high-speed Internet constellation.
“By producing high-quality satellites at a fraction of the cost and schedule of traditional manufacturers, we are not only enabling OneWeb to connect the planet, but we are also making space dramatically more accessible to everyone,” added Gingiss.
The design life of these satellites is expected to be more than five years in a 1,200 km orbit, or more than seven years in a 500 km orbit.
It is anticipated that the new facility will bring 250 high-tech jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs to the Space Coast of Florida. Its first job will be to rapidly scale the OneWeb network from 650 satellites to 1,980 satellites. This is intended to tackle unsatisfactory connectivity encountered by air or sea travellers.
Several public representatives visited the facility’s launch, including FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, and Assistant State Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Manisha Singh.
Speaking at the occasion, FCC Chairman Pai said the new manufacturing plant by OneWeb Satellites would enhance schooling around the globe in conjunction with adding employment opportunities to Brevard County, Florida.
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