OneWeb satellite manufacturing infographic. Photo: Airbus Defence and Space

[Via Satellite 04-20-2016] OneWeb Satellites has chosen Florida in the United States as the location for the company’s final assembly line for the mass production of nearly 900 satellites for the OneWeb constellation. The facility will be located at Florida’s Exploration Park, near the Kennedy Space Center, covering an area of more than 100,000 square feet and creating an anticipated 250 direct jobs, approximately.

OneWeb Satellites is an equally owned joint venture set up between Airbus Defence and Space and OneWeb in January. Airbus Defence and Space is OneWeb’s industrial partner for the design and build of its satellites. The constellation, to be operated by OneWeb, is for global high-speed Internet services. OneWeb’s space segment will comprise an initial constellation of 648 operational satellites and replacement satellites, all of which will be identical. Each satellite will weigh approximately 150 kg and will operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Arianespace and Virgin Galactic will begin launching the spacecraft in 2018 and the satellites will be placed in orbit using electrical propulsion.

Airbus Defence and Space is currently designing the OneWeb spacecraft at its design offices in Toulouse, France. The company is developing a prototype production line in Toulouse to assemble and test the first 10 satellites, checking and validating industrial solutions for the series production. OneWeb Satellites will also be able to produce satellites, platforms or equipment for other operators of future constellations, which Airbus Defence and Space has the rights to market.