OneWeb Satellites is a joint venture of OneWeb, a satellite builder founded in 2012, and aerospace giant Airbus. Recently, the joint venture officially opened the world’s first high-volume satellite production facility, which will look to transform satellite manufacturing from a high-cost, highly customized manufacturing process to one that can bring satellite-based internet connectivity to more people more cost-effectively.
The Florida-based plant will look to utilize mass production techniques never before used for satellites, which the company feels will enable the production of one satellite per production shift, or two a day. First on the schedule will be the production of a 650-unit constellation of satellites that will comprise the OneWeb network. The company hopes to scale this up to 1,980 satellites delivering global connectivity.
The 105,500 square-foot production plant employs 250 workers. For Airbus, the facility is the latest step in the company’s desire to grow its $187 billion manufacturing presence in the U.S. According to Airbus, the company currently works with 450 American suppliers in more than 40 states, helping to support more than 275,000 American jobs.
