India’s space agency, ISRO, is set to launch 36 OneWeb internet satellites into space onboard India’s heaviest launch vehicle, Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-III). This constellation of satellites aims to provide broadband connectivity across the world. The satellites operate in Low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 1,200 kilometers. This is the second launch of the OneWeb satellites from India in the last year. The UK-based company has Bharti Enterprises as a major investor and shareholder. The launch of these satellites will complete the first constellation of 648 satellites around the planet by OneWeb. The LVM-III is a three-stage launch vehicle that consists of two solid propellant S200 strap-ons and core stages, including the L110 liquid stage, the C25 cryogenic stage, the equipment bay (EB), and the Encapsulated assembly (EA). The rocket has a lift-off mass of 640 tons.
Countdown Begins: India to Launch 36 OneWeb Satellites on Sunday
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has initiated the countdown for the launch of 36 OneWeb satellites into space. These satellites are part of the OneWeb constellation, a network of satellites aimed at providing broadband connectivity around the world. The probes will be launched on India’s heaviest launch vehicle, Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-III), to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The launch of the 36 OneWeb internet satellites is scheduled for Sunday morning at 9:00 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. With the deployment of these satellites, the UK company will complete its first constellation of 648 satellites around the planet. The 150-kilogram satellites are deployed in 12 planes and operate at an altitude of 1200 kilometers above the planet.
What is OneWeb Satellite?
OneWeb is a constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that aims to provide broadband connectivity globally. The UK-based company has Bharti Enterprises as a major investor and shareholder. The upcoming launch is the 18th for OneWeb and will complete the deployment of its first constellation. The 150-kilogram satellites are distributed in 12 planes separated by four kilometers in altitude to avoid collisions.
This will be the second launch of OneWeb satellites from India in the last year. OneWeb ended its association with the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, to launch its satellite constellation over the Ukraine war.
What is LVM-III?
LVM-III is India’s three-stage launch vehicle consisting of two solid propellant S200 strap-ons and core stages, including the L110 liquid stage, the C25 cryogenic stage, the equipment bay (EB), and the Encapsulated assembly (EA). The Encapsulated assembly consists of the spacecraft, payload adaptor (PLA), and payload fairing. The rocket has a lift-off mass of 640 tons.
ISRO states that the OneWeb satellite launch marks another significant milestone for India’s space program, which has previously launched over 300 satellites, including the Mars Orbiter Mission, Chandrayaan-1, and 2, and the Cartosat-3. With the deployment of the OneWeb constellation, it is expected to provide internet connectivity worldwide.
LVM-III: India’s Heaviest Launch Vehicle for OneWeb Satellites
India’s Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV-MkIII) has been renamed to Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-III) for the deployment of 36 OneWeb internet satellites. The reason for the name change is that the LVM-III will not deploy the satellites in a geosynchronous orbit. The satellites will operate in Low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 1,200 kilometers. Watch the LVM-III launch live via the provided link.
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