SpaceX Deploys Rival OneWeb Satellites, Starlink Competitor Ran Out of Options—Why?

SpaceX did a bold thing earlier today, and it is with the launch of the internet satellites to stay in low-Earth orbit for the United Kingdom-based company, OneWeb. It is known that this company is one of Starlink's many rivals in the industry, with plans to provide the world with satellite internet connectivity for homes and businesses.

OneWeb has run out of options for an aerospace company to do their bidding, especially as their initial partner was Russia, whose actions they denounce.

SpaceX Deploys OneWeb's Internet Satellites to Orbit Earlier

Over an hour ago, SpaceX saw a successful liftoff, stage separation, and first-stage landing of its reusable rocket, the Falcon 9, which carried the prized internet satellites of its UK-based rival, OneWeb.

Its cargo carries forty (40) internet satellites from OneWeb that will soon bring service to its customers once these space modules lock into orbit and start beaming down their signals.

Recently, SpaceX announced that it already deployed the OneWeb internet satellites to orbit, officially marking the final preparations of it before claiming a mission success.

There were initial fears regarding OneWeb's launches seeing no future because of the initial partner having massive problems against the world, something which SpaceX picked up on despite being Starlink's rival.

OneWeb Ran Out of Options, Supposedly with Russia

OneWeb initially commissioned Russia's space rocket, the Soyuz, to launch its satellites to orbit, something which would deliver its services to the cosmic heavens for deployment.

However, a massive conflict got in the way of this because of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, with the world denouncing their actions and boycotting their services.

Russia also canceled all of its spaceflights and contracts then, initially threatening to pull out of the ISS, with OneWeb's commissioned launch also affected.

SpaceX, Starlink, and its Rivalries

SpaceX and Starlink may be known as one the most prominent space companies that offer a variety of services including spaceflights, contract works for space, internet satellites, and private cosmic missions.

Indeed, Elon Musk's companies are some of the highly regarded for their numerous success in the field, one that delivers for its clients and itself.

However, the tech billionaire's companies are met with rivalries and competitors in the market and includes the likes of OneWeb, Amazon and Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and other names in the industry.

OneWeb is one of the most famous names in the satellite internet business too, especially as it promises fast speeds even without thousands of satellites launched toward the LEO.

Still, back in March, Musk promised to do the right thing for its rival and be the bigger person in this rivalry as it took on the responsibility to bring OneWeb satellites to orbit safely.

The contract mission for SpaceX and OneWeb is now nearing its completion as SpaceX finished its first stage launch with the Falcon 9 and recently revealed that the satellite deployment already started. Russia's actions against Ukraine and the world highly affected OneWeb's rivalry with SpaceX, one where previous feuds were set aside to have this service up and running.