OneWeb And Airbus Inaugurate Satellite Factory In Toulouse

Thierry Dubois July 03, 2017
Credit: Thierry Dubois/AW&ST

The facility’s inauguration took place in a building in which the first European-built satellite was assembled in the early 1980s.

Credit: Thierry Dubois/AW&ST

Airbus and OneWeb leaders attended the factory’s opening:  (from left) Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space; Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus; and Eric Beranger, CEO of OneWeb.

Credit: OneWeb

A OneWeb microsatellite weighs 150 kg (330 lb.).

Credit: OneWeb

OneWeb’s goal is global coverage for broadband internet, thanks to a constellation of 648 satellites with a total capacity of 7 terabits per second.

Credit: Dominique Eskenazi/OneWeb

In a factory designed to produce one satellite per day, screwdrivers are automatically tracked to ensure bolts are tightened correctly and in the appropriate order.

Credit: Dominique Eskenazi/OneWeb

Collaborative "cobot" robots help reduce occupational hazard and human error.

 

Credit: Dominique Eskenazi/OneWeb

OneWeb Satellites' aim is to produce 900 satellites.

Credit: Dominique Eskenazi/OneWeb

Some tasks have been kept manual for easier reconfiguration of the production line, which may be used for other satellite designs.

OneWeb Satellites, a 50-50 joint venture between would-be constellation operator OneWeb and satellite manufacturer Airbus, on June 28 inaugurated the first serial-production line for OneWeb’s planned 900 spacecraft. Due to the unprecedented number of microsatellites OneWeb needs to provide broadband internet service globally, the Toulouse facility is the first designed to produce satellites at such a rate—one per day.

Thierry Dubois

Thierry Dubois has specialized in aerospace journalism since 1997. An engineer in fluid dynamics from Toulouse-based Enseeiht, he covers the French commercial aviation, defense and space industries. His expertise extends to all things technology in Europe. Thierry is also the editor-in-chief of Aviation Week’s ShowNews. 

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