ISRO’s heaviest rocket LVM3 will launch 36 broadband satellites of British start-up OneWeb from the spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on October 23, marking the launcher’s entry into the global commercial launch services market. LVM3 was earlier called GSLV Mk III.
The Bengaluru-headquartered Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said that the launch of the ‘LVM3-M2/OneWeb India-1 mission’ is scheduled for October 23 (midnight of October 22) at 12:07 am.
“The cryo stage, instrument bay (EB) assembly is complete. The satellites have been encapsulated and assembled in the vehicle. Final vehicle testing is in progress,” it said.
Earlier this month, ISRO said that NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of the space agency, has partnered with UK-based Network Access Associates Limited (NSIL).OneWeb) to launch ISRO’s LVM3 on-board OneWeb LEO (Low Earth Orbit) broadband communication satellites.
“This is the first LVM3-dedicated commercial launch on demand through NSIL,” ISRO had said.
“This agreement with M/s OneWeb is a historic milestone for NSIL and ISRO, as LVM3 forays into the global commercial launch services market.”
The latest rocket is capable of launching four ton class satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
The LVM3 is a three-stage vehicle with two solid motor strap-ons, a liquid propellant core stage and a cryogenic stage.
Bharti Enterprises of India is a major investor and shareholder in OneWeb.