Constellation Overview
| Parameter | Starlink | OneWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | SpaceX | Eutelsat OneWeb |
| Active Satellites | ~9,800+ | ~648 |
| Orbital Altitude | ~480–550 km (LEO) | ~1,200 km (LEO) |
| Inclination | 53°–97° | 87.9° (near-polar) |
| Satellite Mass | 260–800 kg (v1.5 to V2 Mini) | ~150 kg |
| Target Market | Consumer + business | Business + government |
| User Terminal | Small consumer dish | Larger enterprise terminal |
| Latency | ~20–40 ms | ~30–50 ms |
| Global Coverage | Yes (all latitudes) | Yes (strong polar coverage) |
| Laser Inter-Sat Links | Yes (V1.5+) | No (Gen 1) |
| Country of Incorporation | United States | United Kingdom |
Key Differences
Scale: Starlink operates roughly 15× more satellites than OneWeb. This massive fleet enables direct-to-consumer service with smaller, cheaper user terminals.
Altitude: Starlink's lower orbit (480–550 km vs 1,200 km) provides lower latency but means satellites decay faster and need more frequent replacement. OneWeb's higher orbit offers longer satellite lifespans.
Coverage Focus: OneWeb's near-polar orbit (87.9° inclination) provides particularly strong coverage at high latitudes — valuable for Arctic shipping, aviation and northern communities. Starlink covers all latitudes through multiple orbital shells.
Market: Starlink targets both individual consumers and enterprise customers. OneWeb focuses primarily on business, government and maritime customers through distribution partners.
Track Both Constellations
On Orbital Radar, use the Operators panel to filter by either constellation. Compare their orbital architectures side by side — you will immediately see the difference between Starlink's multiple orbital shells and OneWeb's single near-polar plane.