ISRO to launch commercially, LVM3 to launch 36 OneWeb satellites on 23 October

Indian Space Research Organization (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 launch of the launcher in the global commercial launch services market. LVM3 was earlier called GSLV Mk III.

The launch will take place on the morning of 23 October

ISRO said on Friday that the launch of the 'LVM3-M2/OneWeb India-1 mission' is scheduled for the morning of 23 October (midnight of 22 October). ISRO said, 'The cryo stage, instrument bay (EB) assembly has been completed. The satellites are encapsulated and assembled in the vehicle. The final vehicle check is in progress.

ISRO signs two launch service contracts

Earlier this month, ISRO had said that NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of the space agency, has entered into a partnership with UK-based Network Access Associates Ltd (OneWeb) to form ISRO. Two launch service contracts were signed to launch the LVM3 on-board OneWeb LEO (Low Earth Orbit) broadband communications satellites.

The launch will prove to be a milestone

ISRO had said, "This is the first LVM3-dedicated commercial launch on demand through NSIL. 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).

What is LVM3?

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.

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