INDIA: On March 26, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched and deployed 36 satellites for OneWeb Group Company using its LVM3 launch vehicle.
The launch vehicle completed its sixth consecutive successful flight, placing the satellites into a 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 87.4 degrees. The mission was executed as part of NSIL’s contract to launch 72 satellites of OneWeb into low-Earth orbit.
The launch vehicle took off from the second launch pad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, carrying a total payload of 5,805 kg. It reached the required altitude of 450 km in nine minutes, achieved satellite injection conditions in the eighteenth minute, and began injecting the satellites in the twentieth minute.
The C25 stage performed a sophisticated maneuver to inject satellites into precise orbits with defined time gaps to avoid collisions with the satellites. The satellites were separated into nine phases, in batches of four, and OneWeb confirmed the acquisition of signals from all 36 satellites.
This was the second time that OneWeb sent a satellite into space from India. It was also the company’s 18th launch, bringing the total number of satellites in its constellation to 618.
The success of the mission was celebrated by Shri Somanath S., Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, ISRO, who congratulated ISRO, NSIL, and OneWeb on the successful mission.
He expressed his happiness over the consecutive successful flights of LVM3 and thanked the government for its support and approvals for the commercial launches that have enhanced confidence in LVM3.
Shri Radhakrishnan D, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NewSpace India Limited, also congratulated ISRO on the successful mission, describing the event as momentous and recalling the challenge of this complex mission in terms of maneuverability.
In conclusion, the successful deployment of 36 satellites for OneWeb Group Company is another big step forward for ISRO and its partnership with NSIL. This helps close the digital divide and connect people all over the world.
Also Read: ISRO to Launch 36 OneWeb Satellites Using Heaviest Launch Vehicle Mark-III from Sriharikota
