Excellent news for Airbus Defense and Space. The European space giant was entrusted by Eutelsat is building the extension of its OneWeb constellation to low earth orbit (LEO). THE contract entrusts Airbus with the manufacture of the first batches of the extension of the constellation, i.e. 100 satellites in total, delivery of which is planned from the end of 2026.
“Airbus has designed and manufactured the entire current fleet of OneWeb satellites. We are fully committed to the continuity of the OneWeb constellation”commented following this announcement Alain Fauré, head of space systems at Airbus Defense and Space. The satellite manufacturer has built more than 600 satellites for the first generation of the constellation which will provide high-speed internet around the world. The first models (around ten examples) were manufactured in Toulouse and the remainder were then mass-produced at an Airbus plant in Florida.
Preparing for the IRIS² constellation
After escaping bankruptcy in spring 2020, OneWeb was taken over by the French satellite operator Eutelsat which is now working on the second generation of the OneWeb constellation. For Eva Berneke, general director of the Eutelsat group, the next generation will ensure continuity of service of the existing constellation with improved service characteristics, as we move towards an architecture compliant with the European IRIS² constellation in 2030 ».
The new satellites will feature key technological enhancements, including integration with the terrestrial 5G network. They will also ensure the compatibility of the technological architecture with the European multi-orbit constellation IRIS², which is due to enter service in 2030 and of which Eutelsat will be one of the main operators. “ Our experience in the market tells us that the appetite for low-Earth orbit capacity is growing rapidly, and we are excited to begin the next stage of our journey to satisfy this demand.”adds Eva Berneke.
Airbus cuts 2,043 jobs in its defense and space activities
Unlike the first wave of the constellation, almost entirely produced in Florida, the contract provides that these 100 new satellites will be built on the Airbus site in Toulouse. Production should begin in 2026. Enough to bring a breath of fresh air to the European manufacturer whose space activity is suffering greatly. Airbus announced at the beginning of December a reduction of 2,043 positions, including 689 in Germany and 540 in France, within the Airbus Defense & Space division.
