Today sees the launch of 36 new satellites that will form part of a network established by OneWeb that aims to offer a global internet service from space. Dr David Brown from the Astronomy and Astrophysics Group in our Department of Physics comments on the benefits this could bring, and some of the problems it poses.

Dr David Brown said: “The addition of this latest batch of satellites to OneWeb’s constellation is a significant step towards operational viability. By adding these 36 satellites OneWeb will, for the first time, be able to provide internet service from orbit, including to the UK. This is potentially very good news for people in rural locations, or who are otherwise struggling with poor access to broadband, although it remains to be seen how well OneWeb’s service will work in practice.

“There are also still concerns about the wider impact of these satellites on our ability to observe the night sky, on radio telescopes, on cultural touchstones such as navigating using the stars, and on the environment. Progress on addressing these issues is unfortunately very slow.“

1 July 2021

Contact:

Peter Thorley
Media Relations Manager (Warwick Medical School and Department of Physics)

Email: peter.thorley@warwick.ac.uk

Mob: +44 (0) 7824 540863