On Thursday further OneWeb satellites will be launched from the Russian spaceport Vostochny. A dispenser from RUAG space will place the 36 satellites in orbit, bringing the satellite fleet to 218.

On Thursday, May 27, OneWeb will launch further 36 broadband internet satellites aboard a Soyuz launch vehicle from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia. OneWeb is building a communications network with a constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites that will deliver internet access around the world.

Depositing more than 200 OneWeb satellites

As a key supplier to OneWeb Satellites, RUAG Space built the satellite dispenser, which functions as an interface between the Soyuz rocket and satellites. The dispenser will deposit the 36 satellites safely into space, bringing the constellation in orbit from currently 182 to 218. “To deposit more than 200 OneWeb satellites in orbit is a big milestone. Our dispenser is super-light and includes state-of-the-art technology to safely place the satellites in orbit,” says Holger Wentscher, Senior Vice President Product Group Launchers at RUAG Space.  OneWeb Satellites—a joint venture between OneWeb and Airbus—is OneWeb’s industrial partner and leads the design and manufacturing of OneWeb’s fleet of satellites. The RUAG Space dispensers for OneWeb are built in Linköping, Sweden. Each dispenser has a 1.7 metre central cylinder structure and a height of 5.5 metres.

Satellite back-bone from RUAG Space

RUAG Space also manufactures the OneWeb satellite back-bone (structure) in Titusville, Florida. The structures are manufactured using the Automated Potting Process, a production method that uses a pick and place machine to rapidly position special inserts filled with adhesive into the satellite structure’s sandwich panels.

Thermal insulation and transport containers

In Austria, RUAG Space produces the multi-layer thermal insulation which protects the OneWeb satellites against the cold and heat in space from approx. minus 150°C to plus 150°C (-238 degrees F to 302 degrees F). The insulation consists of several layers of metal-evaporated polyimide film. RUAG Space in Austria also built handle equipment and transport containers. The high-tech, custom satellite containers are used to transport the assembled OneWeb satellites from Florida to the launch sites. The containers are equipped with a specifically designed damping system and climate-control.

About RUAG Space

RUAG Space is the leading supplier to the space industry in Europe, and has a growing presence in the United States. Around 1,300 employees across six countries (Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Germany, USA and Finland) develop and manufacture products for satellites and launch vehicles—for both the institutional and commercial space market. RUAG Space is part of RUAG International, a Swiss technology group with production sites in 14 countries, which is divided into four divisions: Space, Aerostructures, MRO International and Ammotec. Visit www.ruag.com/space, or view our RUAG Space product portfolio video: https://youtu.be/qNbSjUdlXxQ

Full media release online: https://www.ruag.com/en/news/ruag-space-dispenser-places-200th-oneweb-satellite-orbit

Images

Image 1: The dispenser from RUAG Space will deposit further 36 OneWeb satellites, bringing the fleet from currently 182 to 218 in orbit. Copyright: OneWeb Satellites. Download: https://onewebsatellites.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/first-launch.jpg

Image 2: The OneWeb satellites are protected from heat and cold in orbit by golden-colored foils from RUAG Space. Copyright: OneWeb Satellites.

Download: https://onewebsatellites.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Slide3-1-768×397.jpg

Image 3: RUAG Space delivered the spacecraft containers and ground support equipment for the OneWeb constellation. Copyright: RUAG Space, Martin Steiger.

Download: https://www.ruag.com/system/files/media_document/2021-03/Ground%20Support%20Equipment%20for%20OneWeb_Satellitencontainer_Copyright%20RUAG%20Space%2C%20Martin%20Steiger.jpg

Media contacts RUAG Space:

Philipp Bircher, Director Communication, Email: philipp.bircher@ruag.com, Tel.: +41 7979 011 81

Christian Thalmayr, Communication, Email: christian.thalmayr@ruag.com, Tel.: +43 1 801 99 2165

Web: www.ruag.com/space
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ruagspace

Media contact RUAG International:

Clemens Gähwiler, External Communication Manager, RUAG International; Tel. +41 76 319 28 58, clemens.gaehwiler@ruag.com