The four first satellites of the O3b constellation have recently been successfully launched by Arianespace for the satellite operator O3b Networks Ltd. The satellites were launched on a Soyuz rocket from the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana.

This is the first batch of satellites, comprising a total number of 16 satellites in circular orbit along the equator, designed to improve internet access from remote areas of the world. Unlike other communications satellites the O3Bs will not be placed in a geostationary orbit (at a height of 36,000 kilometers) but rather at about 8000 kilometers; this solution will speed up transmissions considerably as the distance over which the signals are sent is much smaller. At this height the communications latency is reduced fivefold, to about 0.1 second.

With a launch weight of 700 kg, each O3b satellite is based on a platform giving a power output of 1.5 Kw. The payload comprises a total of 12 mobile telephony antennae and 10 Ka band transponders.

GMV is playing a crucial role in this project, providing the flight dynamics systems for the whole O3b satellite constellation. The flight dynamics system is based on the reliable product focusCn, from the focussuite family, designed to control satellite constellations and being integrated by Thales Alenia Space to support the whole life cycle of the satellites: launch, positioning in the allocated slot, routine operations and deorbiting once replaced by a new satellite. GMV is also providing support for the integration of the flight dynamics system and training courses for the operators.

The launch of the second batch of four satellites is also scheduled for 2013 and the third batch for the first half of 2014.