OneWeb will resume satellite launches with SpaceX as the launch provider

Re:OneWeb will resume satellite launches with SpaceX as the ... by manquer on Monday March 21, 2022 @11:54AM (#30755530)

The only other affordable choice could have been ISRO with PSLV , there was some merits to this as oneweb is owned partly by Bharti an Indian telecom major.

However that was always a long shot, Russia collaborates deeply on the Indian space and missile programs. The cryogenic 4th stage is still a Russian engine on GSLV, ISRO won’t likely risk that partnership as America has always refused any tech because of dual concerns, and ISRO also is not very expandable on launch capacity so it would not be easy even if they wanted to.

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Re:OneWeb will resume satellite launches with SpaceX as the ... by panick21_ on Monday March 21, 2022 @05:36PM (#30760031)

Looking at the launch rates of Indian rockets, its pretty easy to realize that they have no way to simply launch more. They build rockets for specific project and have very low launch rates.

They can't simply build 6 extra rockets in a few years.

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Re:OneWeb will resume satellite launches with SpaceX as the ... by manquer on Monday March 21, 2022 @05:54PM (#30760206)

I agree they cannot expand that much that fast, which was my second point.

They wouldn't be very keen either way, as ISRO's primary objective is their research missions while there is some drive to have commercial operations it is not that important to them.

However it was also possible that Bharti (and U.K. government ) could have pulled enough strings to get ISRO to agree, so won't have been that surprised if they had partnered.

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Re:OneWeb will resume satellite launches with SpaceX as the ... by thinkcontext on Monday March 21, 2022 @02:39PM (#30757988)

They might have been able to get a launch or 2 out of ISRO but they don't have the capacity to build rockets that fast.

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