ISRO has successfully deployed a huge chunk of 36 36 OneWeb satellites via LVM3-M2/OneWeb India-1 mission. The Indian space agency confirmed that all 36 satellites are injected into the specified orbits. The satellites have been placed via Launch Vehicle Mark-III, which is a refreshed version of the GSLV Mk-III from the SDSC, Sriharikota. The first LVM-3 commercial launch took place sharply at 12.07 AM with the rocket carrying 6 tonnes blasted off to the skies. You should note that GSLV LVM 3 have a capacity to carry up to 10-tonne payload. The mission is being conducted in partnership between OneWeb and New Space India Limited aka NSIL.
Indian Space Research Organisation (#ISRO) launches its first dedicated commercial mission of Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) M2 satellite successfully in the wee hours today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. #LVM3M2 pic.twitter.com/9OdU6tIwpX
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 23, 2022
Normally, ISRO uses GSLV as the mission name but here the agency has used LVM. This is because the rocket mission will not deploy the satellites in the geosynchronous orbit. The OneWeb satellites operate in Low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 1200km instead of 35786km above Earth’s equator.
LVM3 M2/OneWeb India-1 mission is completed successfully. All the 36 satellites have been placed into intended orbits. @NSIL_India @OneWeb
— ISRO (@isro) October 22, 2022
Commenting on the development, Sunil Bharti Mittal, OneWeb Chairman disclosed that the company requires 6 launches but was delayed due to the Ukraine crisis. With India’s excellent manpower and support, they are able to organize two launches on a priority basis. He added that the next set of 36 satellites will launch in January 2023.
The GSLV-Mk-III carries dual solid propellant S200 strap-ons. The core stage comprises of L110 liquid stage and C25 cryogenic stage. ISRO’s LVM3 is the first commercial mission as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. In the post-launch address, ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath lauded the efforts of PM Modi’s effort to bring LVM3 into the commercial market. Moreover, he added that the much-awaited Chandrayaan-3 launch will happen in July 2023.
With the initial separation of 16 satellites, the remaining OneWeb satellites were pushed after 25 minutes in a phased manner. The success of the LVM3-M2 mission is a big landmark for ISRO in its efforts to enter commercial space. It remains to be seen as to whether companies like SpaceX will arrive in India to launch Starlink satellites via ISRO.
OneWeb is a UK-based global communication network, which enables Internet connectivity for Governments and enterprise business establishments.
