Eutelsat OneWeb Eyeing ISRO to Boost Worldwide Satellite Coverage

Eutelsat OneWeb is planning to use ISRO’s heavy-lift rockets (LVM3) for part of its second-generation (Gen-2) satellite constellation, aiming to deploy over 340 new low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites by 2027 to expand global coverage and resilience said a report by Business Today.

In October this year, Eutelsat Group issued a regulatory news release confirming successful launches and outlining future plans, including reliance on ISRO’s LVM3 for upcoming missions.

OneWeb began launches in 2019 and now operates ~640 satellites in orbit, forming a near-global broadband network. The original plan was for 648 satellites, manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space. The network is fully operational, but about 100 satellites from the initial fleet are due for replenishment in the coming years. Eutelsat OneWeb is preparing to deploy 340+ new satellites by 2027, creating a more advanced and flexible architecture.  

Key Highlights

• Gen-2 Expansion: Eutelsat OneWeb already operates ~640 satellites in orbit (Gen-1). The Gen-2 rollout will add 340+ satellites, enhancing flexibility, capacity, and resilience.
• ISRO Partnership: India’s LVM3 rocket, nicknamed Bahubali, is being considered for these launches. ISRO has proven reliability with commercial missions, including recent deals with AST SpaceMobile.
• Strategic Goals: The Gen-2 fleet will strengthen business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) offerings, targeting enterprise connectivity, defense, and sovereign data needs.
• Replenishment Needs: About 100 Gen-1 satellites are due for replacement, making ISRO’s role in upcoming launches even more critical.

Comparison: ISRO vs Other Launch Partners

Criteria	ISRO (LVM3)	SpaceX (Falcon 9)	Arianespace (Ariane 6)
Reliability	100% success rate for LVM3 commercial launches	High success rate, frequent launches	New vehicle, still proving track record
Payload Capacity	~6.5 tons to LEO	~22 tons to LEO	~20 tons to LEO
Cost Efficiency	Competitive pricing, attractive for bulk launches	Higher costs but frequent cadence	Traditionally higher costs
Geopolitical Advantage	Strong India-Europe ties, diversification from US	US-based, subject to export controls	EU-based, aligned with Eutelsat HQ
Recent Deals	AST SpaceMobile BlueBird satellite launch	Starlink competitor, less likely to host OneWeb	Preparing for commercial debut

Risks & Considerations

• Launch Cadence: ISRO’s LVM3 has fewer annual launches compared to SpaceX, which could affect timelines.
• Competition: SpaceX’s Starlink is a direct competitor, making reliance on Falcon 9 less strategic for OneWeb.
• Technology Transition: Gen-2 satellites will use a more advanced architecture, requiring careful integration with ISRO’s launch systems.
• Regulatory Factors: India’s satcom policies and spectrum allocation will influence how quickly OneWeb can expand services locally.

Strategic Impact

• India’s Role: Partnering with ISRO positions India as a major player in global satcom, aligning with its ambitions in sovereign data and space commercialization.
• Global Coverage: Gen-2 satellites will improve OneWeb’s reach in underserved regions, supporting enterprise, government, and defense connectivity.
• Market Differentiation: By diversifying launch providers, OneWeb reduces dependency on SpaceX and strengthens resilience against geopolitical risks.