Engineering news
A high volume satellite manufacturing facility near NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, is set to begin operations in 2017, with the first satellites to be produced by 2018.
Communications firm OneWeb and Airbus Defence and Space are to build the factory to produce the first 900 low cost "ultra high-performance" satellites that will power OneWeb's global internet service. The factory will also later produce satellites for government and other commercial operations.
Greg Wyler, OneWeb's founder, said: “This new facility is another step in the dream of enabling affordable internet access for the entire globe. These satellites are truly state of the art as we have really pushed, but not exceeded, the limits of technology.
"We will be able to iterate, update and continuously improve the satellites design and performance, and being right at the Space Centre using Virgin Galactic we will be able to launch new satellites within hours of completion.”
The company is working in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space, State of Florida and Space Florida on the project. The centre, which will be at least 100,000 sq ft, will use an automated system to produce satellites. It will also house testing equipment and data systems to enhance, monitor and assess production performance and efficiency.
The initial 900 satellites will weigh significantly less at 150kg than current communications satellites and will be cheaper to produce, said OneWeb.
Allan McArtor, chief executive of Airbus Group in the US, said: “We will be using our extensive experience in mass aerospace production to support this significant US and global growth opportunity for Airbus.”
The factory will be the first satellite manufacturing site in Florida. The venture is expected to create almost 250 jobs.