In a recent development, Airbus has announced that it has acquired the remaining 50% ownership of Airbus OneWeb Satellites (AOS), previously held by Eutelsat OneWeb. The production facility, located in Merritt Island, Florida, is renowned for manufacturing over 600 satellites for the low Earth orbit constellation (LEO).

The eight-year-old AOS facility boasts a semi-automated production line that was once capable of producing two satellites daily for OneWeb's initial broadband constellation. However, Airbus has now repurposed the factory to cater to commercial and government customers.

As part of the agreement, AOS has sold 30 Arrow150 satellite buses to Loft Orbital, a San Francisco condosat operator. Loft Orbital specializes in acquiring satellite buses from multiple vendors and equipping them with payloads to meet customer requirements. Additionally, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense will be providing 58 upgraded Arrow450 satellites to Northrop Grumman for the Space Development Agency Tranche 1 tracking and transport layers.

While the factory's involvement in the Blackjack LEO constellation, under a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), was downsized, Airbus remains committed to its mission of mass-producing small satellites for its clientele.

Robert Geckle, Chair and CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, expressed enthusiasm for the future prospects of AOS on Florida's Space Coast. He stated, "We will continue mass producing small satellites for our customers and are excited for what the future holds for us."

Eutelsat Group, the parent company of Eutelsat OneWeb, has welcomed the sale as it will aid in reducing the company's debt. Moreover, Eutelsat OneWeb is currently exploring options for a second-generation LEO constellation, estimated to cost around $4 billion. Airbus will be considered, among other potential suppliers, for this forthcoming project.

Apart from its Florida facility, Airbus operates satellite manufacturing facilities in Europe. Notably, the first six of OneWeb's first-generation satellites were built in Toulouse, France.

The acquisition of full ownership of AOS by Airbus marks a significant milestone, solidifying the company's position as a key player in the satellite manufacturing industry. With renewed focus on catering to diverse commercial and government customers, Airbus is set to shape the future of satellite technology.

Note: The article has been modified to include only the information provided.