Elain Brown Tech 03.21.2022 22:Mar PM EDT

SpaceX Is Rescuing OneWeb After Fallout With Russian Space Agency

SpaceX will be helping its competitor OneWeb, a London-based internet satellite company.

The formation of these partnerships comes after the Russian space agency Roscosmos suddenly dropped its relationship with OneWeb.

SpaceX launching OneWeb

SpaceX will be launching OneWeb's satellites in low Earth orbit very soon. OneWeb is a British communications company, providing broadband satellite internet to its customers.

OneWeb aims to be powered by 648 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Currently, OneWeb has successfully launched 428 low Earth orbit satellites into space through Russia's space agency Roscosmos.

According to OneWeb, its goal is to provide high-speed, low latency connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities around the world just like SpaceX's Starlink.

SpaceX and OneWeb are competitors in providing internet connectivity to the world through launching satellites in low orbit.

OneWeb has always launched its satellites aboard the Soyuz rocket of Russia's Roscosmos. However, this time, SpaceX will be launching the next batch of 36 satellites, bringing the total number of the satellite fleet in space at 464.

OneWeb CEO Neil Masterson expressed his gratitude with this newfound partnership and stated that, "We thank SpaceX for their support, which reflects our shared vision for the boundless potential of space."

In addition, he also stated, "With these launch plans in place, we're on track to finish building out our full fleet of satellites and deliver robust, fast, secure connectivity around the globe."

OneWeb did not reveal more contract information to the public about its terms, agreements, and scope with SpaceX. However, it is reported by Space.com that SpaceX would likely carry the next set of launches from OneWeb with 2220 satellites left. The satellite is suspected to be launched in low orbit through the powerhouse Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX and OneWeb are expected to have their first launch together later this year.

OneWeb and Roscosmos

OneWeb was supposed to launch 36 of their satellites with the Soyuz rocket under Russia's Roscosmos in the first week of March. However, due to the ongoing specialized military operations of Russia to Ukraine, there was a sudden turn of events.

Russia made sudden demands and prerequisites for OneWeb just a few days before OneWeb's 36 satellites were supposed to be launched aboard the Soyuz rocket.

Roscosmos made two demands to OneWeb. First, Roscosmos wants OneWeb to give a guarantee and assure the Russian space agency that the satellites will not be used in any military defense activities. Second, Roscosmos demanded to oust the British government as their company's board member.

With all of those demands and just a few days left before launching, OneWeb did not meet any of the said conditions. Neither did the British government.

The British government is a huge stakeholder of the London-based satellite company since it is a major investor and saved OneWeb from bankruptcy in 2020.

NASA and Roscosmos

While OneWeb did have some problems with the Russian space agency, NASA had also been threatened by Roscosmos. Roscosmos Director General also threatened NASA to leave American astronaut Mark Vande Hei in the International Space Station. Vande Hei was scheduled to board the Russian rocket Soyuz back to Earth with two other Russian cosmonauts.

A video of the Director-General Dmitry Rogozin was posted on Twitter delivering his threat to NASA in their native Russian language. All of these mishaps are caused by the territorial aggression of Russia towards Ukraine.

These actions are seen as Russia's retaliation from the countries that are siding with Ukraine. In addition, these moves might also be a counterattack to the international sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States.