Sphere - space information technologies previously Wanwebe, OneWeb in Russia

History

2022: Roscosmos created the national operator of the satellite program "Sphere"

On April 13, 2022, Roscosmos State Corporation announced the creation of an operator of the Federal Project for the Development of the Sphere Multifunctional Satellite System. It is organized on the basis of the Gonets Satellite System JSC (part of Roscosmos). The full name of the created satellite operator is Sphere - Space Information Technologies (Sphere LLC).

The date of state registration of the Company coincided with Cosmonautics Day, April 12, 2022.

Roscosmos has turned a joint venture with OneWeb into a satellite program operator

The operator was created by reorganizing OOO "UanWeb" - a joint venture of JSC "Satellite System" Gonets "and the British company OneWeb in connection with the completion of cooperation between Roscosmos and OneWeb. This company will operate and provide services on the basis of systems included in the Federal project "Sphere," approved by the Government of the Russian Federation.

The operator's work will be built in close cooperation with domestic operators satellite communications - FSUE "" and Space communications JSC "." Gazprom Space Systems Sharing the competencies of all operators of geostationary and non-geostationary orbital communications groupings will help implement the most effective solutions in the management of the Sphere system. This will also cover all segments of the satellite communications market at the same time, providing services "within one window,"^[1]

In March 2022, the head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin instructed to stop preparing on Baikonur for the launch of the Soyuz-2.1b rocket with OneWeb satellites. According to him, the decision was made on the basis that "the company OneWeb did not obey our legal requirements to provide the necessary information on the use or non-use of the system for military purposes in the interests of the Pentagon and the military departments of NATO member countries." And on March 21, 2022, the British company OneWeb signed an agreement on the launch of satellites into orbit with the American aerospace company SpaceX.

2020

OneWeb withdraws from a joint project with the Russian satellite system "Gonets"

In early October 2020, it became known about the withdrawal of the bankrupt British company OneWeb from a joint project with the Russian Satellite System Gonets JSC.

At the time of the launch of the Ouanweb joint venture in 2017, the share of OneWeb in it was 60%, but in 2019 it decreased to 49%. As stated in the OneWeb in early October 2020, now this share will be transferred to Gonz. Transaction details are not disclosed.

The company OneWeb decided to withdraw from a joint project with the Russian satellite system "Gonets"

It is claimed that the withdrawal of the British company from the project will not affect the planned launch of 36 satellites OneWeb the Russian Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny cosmodrome in December 2020.

Over the past three years, the application of the British-Russian enterprise Ouanweb to receive several frequency bands has been repeatedly discussed in the State Commission on Radio Frequencies of Russia (GKRCH) without a positive solution to the issue. As a result, the application was withdrawn to supplement with information "in accordance with the requirements of the law."

By 2021, OneWeb still plans to provide 24-hour coverage of the Earth with broadband Internet access, but managed to launch 74 of the planned 672 devices into low Earth orbit.

On October 2, 2020, the federal bankruptcy court of the Southern District of New York approved the sale of OneWeb to the British government and the Indian telecommunications company Bharti Global. Thanks to this, the bankrupt company will be able to resume full-fledged work, including continuing the deployment of satellites. However, by October 5, 2020, the deal is still not closed - "standard regulatory approvals" are required, which are expected to be received by the end of 2020, the OneWeb said. The company promises to offer commercial services from 2021.^[2]

The head of OneWeb promised Broadband Access Internet anywhere in Russia

OneWeb General Director  Adrian Stekel promised the Broadband Access Internet anywhere in Russia thanks to the system that his company develops. He said this in an interview with Vedomosti, excerpts from which were published on March 1, 2020.

According to Stekel, the OneWeb should receive permits and licenses to begin commercial activities, after which the company, together with its partner, will begin to connect to the Internet to schools, companies, aircraft, etc. At the same time, users will not need to formalize communication services. The head of OneWeb called the Russian market ideal for OneWeb  because of the large area of ​ ​ the country.

CEO OneWeb Adrian Stekel

We will be able to provide communication to those in motion, remote areas where fiber optic cable cannot be laid. That is, our system is not designed for cities, but in order to provide coverage for the entire territory of the country, to provide the Internet wherever it is impossible to use the cable. These may be not only regions outside the cities, but also trains, aircraft flying over the territory of Russia - everywhere OneWeb will offer communication of the same quality as on a fiber-optic cable, "said the head of OneWeb.

Adrian Stekel emphasized that nothing threatens the security of the Internet in the country. According to him, the government will also be able to maintain control and safe data transfer, as before. To do this, everything is necessary - the company's satellite access system "allows the government to feel absolutely comfortable in such issues as Internet control, data transfer and their security."

{{quote "As a model, we use our approach in Kazakhstan, where we have proved that we can be a strategic partner of the country," said OneWeb^[3]"}}

2019

Roscosmos begins launching hundreds of satellites for OneWeb

On December 16, 2019, the first batch of OneWeb satellites arrived in Baikonur by an An-124-100 aircraft. The cosmodrome will prepare spacecraft for launch. More details here.

Russia and China will create a competitor OneWeb

September 17, 2019 it became known about a joint project between Russia and China to create a low-orbit satellite constellation for the distribution of high-speed Internet. On the development of a competitor OneWeb said Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov on the sidelines of a meeting in St. Petersburg of the heads of government of the two countries Dmitry Medvedev and Li Ketsyan.

An interesting project is planned for us on a low-orbit satellite constellation for distributing high-speed Internet, we have begun to develop this project, "Akimov reports Interfax."

He did not explain what project is in question: will China join the initiative of Russia or countries create something new.

It became known about a joint project between Russia and China to create a low-orbit satellite constellation for the distribution of high-speed Internet

The national program "Digital Economy" in Russia says about plans to create a global multifunctional information and communication satellite system "Ether," which received the unofficial name "Russian OneWeb." This project is being developed by the daughter of Roscosmos Russian Space Systems (RKS). Initially, it was planned to invest 299 billion rubles from extrabudgetary sources. Subsequently, investments of 533.6 billion rubles were announced.

In recent versions of the program, "Ether" was mentioned as part of the project "Sphere." In early September 2019, Vedomosti published an interview with Yury Borisov. The Deputy Prime Minister told the publication that Roscosmos continues to work on the Sphere program. The draft budget for 2020-2022 includes more than 10 billion rubles.

In addition to the new satellite constellation for providing high-speed Internet access, Russia and China intend to cooperate in a number of other promising areas in the space sector. We are talking, in particular, about the development of satellite navigation systems GLONASS (Russia) and BeiDou (China). The analysis has already shown the radio frequency compatibility of the signals of these two navigation platforms.

GKRCH refused to allocate frequencies for OneWeb

July 29, 2019 it became known that State Radio Frequency Commission she refused to allocate frequencies Russia to British to the operator. satellite BROADBAND ACCESS OneWeb One of the reasons for this decision could be the position of law enforcement agencies.

The issue of allocating frequencies for OneWeb in Russia, the GKRCH was supposed to decide in the fall of 2018, but the FSB opposed the arrival of the British operator. The department did not see guarantees that the system is not intelligence in nature. Concerns were also expressed that OneWeb could become a monopolist in the Internet access market in remote regions and make the work of Russian telecom operators unprofitable there.

OneWeb plans to use 900 satellites to provide broadband Internet to users around the world by 2027. The operator offered to sell to the Government of the Russian Federation 12.5% of its shares in exchange for admission to the Russian market. The operator repeatedly applied to the GKRCH with an application for the allocation of working frequencies in the territory of the Russian Federation, but was refused each time. To work on the Russian market, OneWeb created a joint venture with Roskosmos, Whanweb, where 60% belongs to OneWeb, and 40% to the Gonets satellite communications system, which is controlled by Roscosmos.

According to Vyacheslav Kamnev, general director of Nebo GK LLC, residents of Russia will not lose anything due to the inadmissibility of OneWeb to the country's market. By 2024, the Express-RV highly elliptical orbital grouping should be commissioned, the issue of allocating frequencies for which has already been resolved. The project should become one of the key elements of creating a multifunctional infocommunication satellite system "Sphere," announced by President Vladimir Putin^[4].

Satellite system "Gonets" increased its stake in LLC "UanWeb" to 51%

On February 18, 2019, it became known that the Gonets Satellite System (part of Roscosmos) increased its stake in UanWeb LLC, a joint venture with the satellite operator OneWeb, from 40% to 51%.

In turn, the share of the OneWeb structure in the joint venture decreased from 60% to 49%, reports RBC with reference to the database. SPARK Earlier, the OneWeb announced its intention to restructure the joint venture with Gonets JSC to comply with Russian the law.

Nikolai Nikiforov collects a pool of investors to buy a stake in OneWeb

On January 29, 2019, it became known that the former head of the Ministry of Communications, Nikolai Nikiforov, is collecting a pool of investors to buy a stake in OneWeb.

Among those who received the offer to invest in the project from Nikiforov, - the co-owner of USMAlisher Usmanov, the co-owner Alpha bankapetr Aven, the co-owner NOVATEKALEONID Michelson and the main owner of AFK "Sistema" Vladimir Yevtushenkov. Mikhelson replied that he was not interested in non-core investment, and Yevtushenkov that he would refrain from participating for the time being. It is reported that the former minister began to form a pool in the fall of 2018, as he "became closely acquainted with the project and believed in its prospects," and planned to close the deal before the beginning of 2019.

A source close to one of the failed investors explained the reason for his refusal as follows: "Firstly, too big risks, secondly, too much money."

In turn, Sergey Pekhterev, General Director of satellite operator AltegroSkySergey Pekhterev, noted that OneWeb is probably ready to take any funds, as the cost of the project has increased to $5 billion.

author '= Sergey Pekhterev, General Director of Satellite Operator AltegroSky ' Recently, the company announced that it would reduce the number of satellites from 900 to 600, but even with this, obviously, it will not have enough $1.7 billion of the $3.5 billion previously promised from existing investors. At the same time, if you launch fewer satellites than planned, then holes will appear in the global coverage area and the quality of service will be minimal.

The British low-orbit satellite constellation OneWeb plans to provide high-speed Internet communication through several hundred spacecraft in two circular orbits - 800 and 950 kilometers. Another important component of the project is the gateway stations, which will distribute the Internet in the serviced territories^[5].

About $1 billion in advance for satellite launches of the global broadband access access system

On January 21, 2019, it became known that Russia received about $1 billion in advance for the launch of satellites of the global broadband access access system OneWeb using Soyuz missiles.

This was told by the general director of the rocket and space center "Progress" Dmitry Baranov. He noted that the Russian Federation "has already received almost" $1 billion in advance for the manufacture of missiles and boosters. Therefore, it makes no economic sense to refuse to launch satellites, OneWeb Baranov emphasized, commenting on rumors about a possible refusal to launch these spacecraft.

In January 2019, the head of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, said that the state corporation headed by him was interested in implementing the launch program for the project OneWeb and feared that "excessive skepticism" could negatively affect it.

According to the latest data, Roscosmos plans to put the first satellites of the system into orbit OneWeb on February 19, 2019, the Soyuz launch vehicle from the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana. Launches of communication satellites OneWeb from the Baikonur Cosmodrome will begin in the 4th quarter of 2019. In general, according to the contract, Roscosmos should carry out 21 launches of Soyuz launch vehicles with satellites of the OneWeb group.

According to January 2019, the operator is going to launch 600 satellites^[6].

2018

OneWeb offered the Government of the Russian Federation a 12.5% stake in exchange for admission to the Russian market

On December 28, 2018, it became known that the satellite operator OneWeb offered to sell a 12.5% stake to the Russian government in exchange for admission to the Russian market. However, the Russian government wants to first get access to the documentation of the project of a low-orbit global satellite system for broadband Internet access, which the operator deploys.

OneWeb has already repeatedly applied to the State Commission on Radio Frequencies (GKRCH) with an application for the allocation of working frequencies in the territory of the Russian Federation, but each time was refused.

Representatives of OneWeb offered the Russian government the opportunity to buy a 12.5% stake in the company in exchange for approving its request for the creation of a frequency band for work in the Russian Federation.

Reuters reports that the Russian authorities are discussing the proposal of OneWeb. At the same time, neither the government, nor the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, nor the company OneWeb commented on this information. If Russia buys a minority stake in OneWeb, Reuters sources say, then Russian representatives will join the board of directors of the OneWeb, and Russian specialists will have access to the technical documentation of the project. However, one Reuters source reports that the government is not satisfied with the terms related to the purchase of the package, as it would like to access technical documentation before the transaction.

Later, Reuters denied the information and the Russian authorities and OneWeb.^[7]

In addition (GKRCH), the FSB opposed the appearance of OneWeb on the Russian market, saying that OneWeb poses a threat to national security and can be used for intelligence purposes. Also in December, the State Duma approved a bill that proposes to allow the import of mobile satellite terminals only to licensed telecom operators. This law, according to players in the Russian satellite market, is also directed against OneWeb and StarLink systems.

RCC Progress manufactured six Soyuz-2 missiles for OneWeb

RCC Progress, as part of the implementation of the contract for the launch of mobile satellite communications spacecraft, OneWeb manufactured six Soyuz-2 launch vehicles. Three space missiles have already been sent to the Baikonur Cosmodrome and the Guiana Space Center.

The protocol for 21 launches of Soyuz-2 launch vehicles was signed in the summer of 2015 in France. The signing of contracts to ensure the terms of the protocol began in 2016. Launches are planned from three cosmodromes: Baikonur, Vostochny, GCC.

Target load - small devices up to 150 kg with phased Ku-band radiating array. The contract provides for the launch of 672 spacecraft of the basic satellite constellation into a target near-polar orbit 1200 km high as part of a complex head part weighing up to 5.5 tons per launch. The spacecraft for the demonstration launch, scheduled for the end of 2018, will be manufactured by the parent company of Airbus Defense and Space Corporation in Toulouse, and the rest - JV OneWeb and Airbus Defense and Space.

Roskomnadzor opposed the issuance of frequencies

As it became known in April 2018, the satellite system OneWeb, which is created by Airbus and Virgin Richard Branson, may not receive frequencies in Russia. Roskomnadzor gave a negative review of the company's application due to the risk of mutual interference with other space systems^[8]

Oleg Ivanov, deputy head of Roskomnadzor, confirmed to RBC that the department wrote a negative review on the UanWeb application. "An analysis of the electromagnetic compatibility of this system with other space systems to which radio frequency bands were previously allocated showed the possibility of mutual interference. In addition, the international coordination of the communication network that ensures the functioning of UanWeb has not been completed, "said Ivanov.

Without receiving frequencies, UanWeb will not be able to officially sell services in Russia, says a RBC source in the space industry. "However, tourists who come with devices that can work on the network OneWeb will be able to receive its signal. Frequencies are needed to organize an interface station in the country, theoretically, the subscriber will be able to connect to a station located in a neighboring country, "said the interlocutor of RBC. He also noted that the Russian side has the opportunity to demand to turn off OneWeb transmitters when they fly over the territory of Russia (and then no one can receive their signal), but this will be difficult to do technically.

2017

Application for allocation of radio frequencies in Russia

The company can OneWeb receive radio frequencies in Russia for the operation of its communication satellite system by the end of 2018. According to RBC, the UanWeb organization, created by the British OneWeb and the Roscosmos structure - Gonets Satellite System JSC, filed a corresponding application with the State Commission on Radio Frequencies (GKRCH).

The applicant requests 27.5-29.1 and 29.5-30 GHz frequencies for use in the direction of space and 17.8-18.6 and 18.8-19.3 GHz in the direction of the Earth. In addition, frequencies of 14-14.5 GHz (into space) and 10.7-12.7 GHz (to Earth) will be needed for the use of radio-electronic means of the satellite constellation.

The OneWeb project involves the launch of 720 low-orbit satellites to provide affordable satellite Internet throughout the planet, including in hard-to-reach areas. Earlier it was reported that Roscosmos signed a contract with the company for 21 spacecraft launches. An agreement was also signed that the space corporation would act as a satellite operator. The first launches of the spacecraft are planned to be carried out in 2018^[9].

Creation of OOO "Wanweb"

To work on the Russian market, OneWeb in 2017 created a joint venture with Roscosmos Ouanveb, where 60% belongs to OneWeb, and 40% to the Gonets satellite communications system, which in turn is controlled by Roscosmos. Roscosmos also received a contract to put part of OneWeb spacecraft into orbit^[10].

2015: Contract for the launch of Soyuz missiles with OneWeb satellites

In 2015, Russia signed a contract for the launch of Soyuz missiles with OneWeb satellites from 2017 to 2019. As a result, satellite launches were repeatedly postponed, including due to their lack of readiness.

Notes