OneWeb Would Generate Up To 250 Jobs, Build $36 Million Factory

Satellite manufacturer OneWeb plans to open a $36 million factory on Florida's Space Coast that will generate as many as 250 jobs, according to media reports.

OneWeb plans to launch a constellation of small satellites designed to improve expand global internet access. The company and Space Florida are expected to announce the deal Tuesday.

The factory would be built at Kennedy Space Center's Exploration Park on Merritt Island, according to a report from Florida Today. Jeff Bezos' company Blue Origin recently announced that it would build rockets in the park. Adding OneWeb would help to establish Exploration Park as a major manufacturing hub for spacecraft in an area whose economy faltered after the end of the space shuttle program five years ago.

OneWeb plans to build and launch some 900 small satellites that would fly at an altitude of 750 miles. The company says the birds will help bring affordable Internet access to underserved areas, as well as provide additional broadband services for aircraft, oil rigs, and ships at sea.

(Image provided by OneWeb)

FMI: http://oneweb.world/