ISRO’s ability to successfully launch commercial satellites will establish it as a dependable service provider for businesses seeking to launch their own satellites.
Earlier today, the Indian space agency initiated the OneWeb India-2 mission by launching a rocket from the Sriharikota spaceport in Chennai. The Launch Vehicle Mark-III rocket took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and carried 36 satellites, which will be positioned in the low earth orbit to aid the UK-based OneWeb group in launching global services later this year.
OneWeb, a global communication network that provides connectivity for corporations and governments, tweeted, “We have lift off! Thanks to our colleagues at @isro and @NSIL_India for a successful launch.”
This successful commercial launch will further establish ISRO as a reliable satellite launch service provider for businesses. This marks ISRO’s second rocket launch of the year, and with the addition of these satellites, OneWeb will have a total of 616 satellites in orbit.
“OneWeb has stated that this mission represents their second satellite deployment from India and underscores the cooperation between the space industries of the UK and India. Previously, on October 23, 2022, ISRO had launched 36 OneWeb satellites in the initial deployment.”
On Sunday, the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-III) was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The successful launch marks India’s largest rocket launch to date, with the LVM3 carrying 36 satellites for the OneWeb India-2 Mission.
The 43.5-meter tall rocket took off at 9 am, after a countdown that began on Saturday. The 36 satellites, weighing a total of 5,805 kgs, will be placed into a circular orbit of 450 kms with an inclination of about 87.4 degrees.
This launch is part of a contract between OneWeb and NewSpace India Ltd, the commercial arm of ISRO, to launch a total of 72 satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
In October 2022, the first satellite deployment collaboration between OneWeb and ISRO took place, with ISRO launching 36 satellites for OneWeb. OneWeb is a global communication network that operates from space, providing connectivity for businesses and governments.
With Bharti Enterprises as a major investor, OneWeb is set to complete its first generation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation with the launch of its 18th satellite, marking the third launch this year.
This launch, named OneWeb India-2 Mission, follows the successful SSLV-D2/EOS07 mission in February, making it ISRO’s second successful launch of the year.
Previously known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII (GSLVMkIII), this launch marks the LVM3 rocket’s sixth overall flight, having previously completed five consecutive missions, including the Chandrayaan-2.
OneWeb expressed their excitement for the completion of the first-ever global LEO constellation and the addition of 36 satellites to their fleet, marking a significant milestone for the company.
They noted that their pivotal mission, OneWeb Launch 18, is still remaining, and they plan to roll out global services in 2023.
With the addition of 36 satellites during the weekend of March 26, OneWeb will have a total of 616 satellites in orbit, having completed 17 launches to date in collaboration with ISRO and NewSpace India Ltd.