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New Delhi: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has created history by launching 36 OneWeb Internet satellites (Satellites) into space. Launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) from Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-III), India’s heaviest launch rocket. The rocket launch process started at 8.30 am. It was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This is the second launch for ISRO in 2023, after the successful launch of the SSLV-D2/EOS 07 mission in February.
The launch was scheduled at 9 am from the second launch pad of ISRO’s SDSC-SHAR. During the countdown, the rocket and satellite systems were checked and the rockets were then fueled. The 43.5 meter long and 643 tonne Indian rocket LVM3 was launched from the second launch pad of the rocket port at Sriharikota. This rocket weighing 5,805 kg has carried 36 satellites of Britain (UK)-based Network Access Associated Limited (OneWeb) into space. This will complete the first generation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Low Earth Orbit is the lowest orbit of the Earth.
The LVM3 is a three-stage rocket, with a liquid-fueled first stage, two strap-on motors powered by solid fuel, a liquid-fueled second and a cryogenic engine. ISRO’s heavy rockets have a capacity of 10 tonnes to ALEO and four tonnes to Geo Transfer Orbit (GTO). The rocket mission code is named LVM3-M3/OneWeb India-2 mission by ISRO. Exactly 19 minutes after the rocket launch, the separation process of the satellites will begin. The 36 satellites will be separated in different phases.
Airtel i.e. Bharti Enterprises is also a shareholder in British start up company One Web. ISRO has two deals with OneWeb, one of which was last year. This is the second time a private company is carrying a satellite in this rocket and its success rate has been 100 percent. In October last year too, ISRO had launched 36 Onebase satellites with LVM3 rockets.
