OneWeb And Airbus Inaugurate Satellite Factory In Toulouse

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

OneWeb Satellites' aim is to produce 900 satellites.

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