British Satellite Launch Canceled in Row Between Nations

OneWeb's cancellation of the next low-orbit satellite launch is set in stone now, as its steed, the Soyuz 2.1b rocket assigned to the mission, has been removed from its launch pad and will proceed to be disassembled in the coming days. The rocket's 36 satellites remain on board at the moment, without any indication if they will be returned or seized. OneWeb's target to have 648 satellites in orbit by year's end has been proceeding exclusively with the Russian space agency, a relationship made all the more complicated by the fact that OneWeb's ownership lies partially with the United Kingdom’s government, the result of a near-bankruptcy and government investment.

Ban Affects Nearly Any Flight Performed By, Chartered For, Russian Nationals

The FAA has released a NOTAM prohibiting a series of aircraft and operators from American airspace, banning all Russian aviation until further notice. The specific text states "all Russian air carriers and commercial operators, regardless of the state of registry of the aircraft; all aircraft registered in the Russian federation; all Russian state aircraft, regardless of the state of registry of the aircraft; and all aircraft, regardless of the state of registry, owned, chartered, leased, operated or controlled by, for, or for the benefit of, a person who is a citizen of the Russian federation are prohibited from operating to, from, within, or through u.s. terri