The ISRO LVM3 rocket will launch British start-up OneWeb’s 36 broadband satellites from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO’s heaviest rocket, LVM3, will launch British start-up OneWeb’s 36 broadband satellites from Sriharikota spaceport, Andhra Pradesh on October 23, marking the launcher’s entry into the global commercial launch services market.
LVM3 was previously called GSLV Mk III.
The launch of “LVM3 – M2/OneWeb India-1 Mission” is scheduled at 0007 o’clock IST on October 23 (midnight of October 22), the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), headquartered in Bengaluru, announced on Friday. .
“The assembly of the cryo stage, equipment bay (EB) is complete. The satellites are encapsulated and assembled in the vehicle. Final vehicle checks are underway,” he said.
Earlier this month, ISRO said NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Space and the commercial arm of the space agency, had signed two launch service contracts with UK-based Network Access Associates. Limited (OneWeb) for the launch of the OneWeb LEO (Low Earth Orbit) broadband communications satellites aboard ISRO’s LVM3.
“This is the first commercial on-demand launch dedicated to LVM3 via NSIL,” ISRO said.
“This contract with M/s OneWeb is a historic milestone for NSIL and ISRO as LVM3 enters the global commercial launch services market,” he said.
The newest rocket is capable of launching a class of four-tonne satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).
LVM3 is a three-stage vehicle with two solid-engine straps, a liquid-propellant center stage, and a cryogenic stage.
The Indian company Bharti Enterprises is a major investor and shareholder in OneWeb.
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