Eutelsat, the world's third-biggest satellite operator by revenue, launched 20 satellites for its communications network on Sunday, using Elon Musk's SpaceX in its first move since the merger of two European companies last year.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket took off, with Eutelsat satellites from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base at 0513 GMT.
"This is the first OneWeb launch of the satellites since the merger," CEO Eva Berneke told Reuters in an interview.
The Paris-based group formed by the merger in September last year of France's Eutelsat and Britain's OneWeb has a constellation of over 600 low earth orbit satellites that cater to broadcasters, telecom companies and radio stations.
It sits there until India gets open, the day it gets open, we'll start building," Berneke said.
Persons:
Eva Berneke, France's, OneWeb, Berneke
Organizations:
Elon, SpaceX, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Reuters, Telstra, U.S
Locations:
Paris, India, Saudi Arabia