SpaceX to launch OneWeb's internet satellites, replacing Russian Soyuz rockets

Sure. But that had nothing to do with their mass, they were mostly very tiny satellites. That launch occurred on an ISRO PSLV-XL, which is capable of 3,800 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). For comparison, OneWeb has been launching about 36 satellites per mission on a Soyuz 2.1b, which boasts 8,200 kg to LEO.

Because of this difference, OneWeb would be forced to launch less satellites per launch w/ISRO. That's because each OneWeb sat is about 150kg, so getting in their normal 36 satellites (i.e. >5,000 kg) + dispenser would not be possible.

On the other hand, the SpaceX Falcon 9 can do more than 16,000 kg to LEO in reusable mode. Meaning Oneweb can probably reuse their Soyuz dispenser to lift up 36 satellites per launch. Or possibly even more if they want to, since there is plenty of extra payload capacity on the Falcon 9.

And lastly, the ISRO PSLV-XL typically launches nore more than a couple times per year. The Falcon 9 launched more than 30 times in 2021 and is currently pacing 1 per week in 2022. So SpaceX may have more flexibility to provide OneWeb with multiple launches over the next year or so.

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