O3b Networks has announced it has completed the launch of its second batch of four ka-band satellites at its space station in French Guiana, extending its reach across Africa
An Arianespace Soyuz rocket launched the satellites into a Medium Earth Orbit at an altitude of 8,062 km, releasing the satellites in two stages using a dispenser system.
According to O3b Networks, another four O3b Networks satellites are set to be launched in early 2015.
"This launch in many respects is the launch that kicks all of that off because it is the launch that allows us to fully launch commercial service," stated Steve Collar, CEO of O3b.
"We have actually seen O3b deployed, and what we have learned from that is the performance is even better than we expected it to be … and that is even with just four satellites in the network. Now as we go to eight we double our constellation. The important thing about moving to eight satellites is now we can provide those services on a global basis."
