Russia Issues Additional Demands for OneWeb, Will Not Launch Satellites Unless They're Met

A Soyuz rocket by Russia is preparing to launch carrying OneWeb satellites. However, due to some uncertainties, the launch will be suspended if OneWeb will not address Russia's additional demands.

Roscosmos is in partnership with OneWeb to launch its satellites to space. The Soyuz launch is expected to launch 36 satellites.

Russia's Demands To Launch OneWeb's Satellites

OneWeb is a London-based company that specializes in global communications systems similar to Starlink. It has been launching satellites in space exclusively through Roscosmos.

Roscosmos is Russia's space agency. It is a state federation by the Russian government. OneWeb is scheduled to launch 36 satellites aboard the Soyuz rocket of Roscosmos.

However, just recently, Director-General Dmitry Rogozin imposed two new conditions on OneWeb before Roscosmos launches the satellite into space.

As reported by Space.com, one of the imposed demands of Roscosmos is the assurance of OneWeb that the satellite would not be used in military endeavors with Russia and Ukraine. The Russian space agency seems to want to assure that the satellites would not be used against them.

Another particular demand of the space agency is for the British government to divest its investment in OneWeb. The British Government is the biggest stakeholder of OneWeb, investing roughly $ 500,000 million in the company in 2020 to save it from bankruptcy.

However, British Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng stated on Twitter that the demands will not be met. As he put it, "There is no negotiation on OneWeb: the United Kingdom Government is not selling its share. We are in contact with other shareholders to discuss next steps..."

In response to Kwarteng's tweet, Roscosmos Director-General Rogozin tweeted that he will give the British government two days to consider.

Is Russia Launching OneWeb Satellites?

In the event that the demands of Roscosmos are not met by 1:30 p.m. EST (1830 GMT; 9:30 p.m. local time in Moscow) on Friday, the Soyuz rocket will not launch OneWeb's satellites.

The disadvantage will fall into OneWeb's side since Roscosmos will lose nothing if the satellites are not launched. The Russian space agency stated that there will be no financial damage since it has already been paid.

OneWeb's working relationship with Roscosmos will be in jeopardy since the satellite company did not expect launch alteration despite the invasion of Russia. The satellite company plans to launch 648 satellites to space.

They also planned numerous launches this 2022 on Soyuz rockets to launch the satellites. As of today, OneWeb has successfully launched 428 satellites through the help of Roscosmos.

As of the Russian space agency, it is ready to fulfill its space commitments as long as the demands are met by OneWeb.

Chief of government, regulatory, and engagement at OneWeb, Chris McLaughlin stated that in his point of view, the launch, as of now, is suspended. This confirms that OneWeb's satellites are not launching anytime soon

The Verge stated that another challenge OneWeb is facing is their staff and the staff of Arianespace in Russia. Both OneWeb and Arianespace had staff relocated to Baikonur Cosmodrome in preparation for the Soyuz launch.

They are now making efforts for all the staff to be able to come home safe. McLaughlin stated that their satellites are still in Baikonur and they hope it will be returned.