Chennai: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of 36 satellite of the UK-based One Web using its heaviest rocket GSLV-MkIII from the spaceport of Sriharikota, SHAR Range, during the third or fourth week of this month.
This would be an exclusive dedicated commercial mission by the Indian Space Agency.
ISRO in a Mission update on Thursday said integration of the three stage rocket, powered by solid, liquid and cryogenic engines, was being readied for the launch.
Two solid strap-on boosters and a liquid core stage of LVM3 have been fully integrated at the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR.
Integration of 36 OneWeb satellites after successful completion of health checks have been assembled with the dispenser unit. In the coming days, the integration of the cryogenic upper stage of the launch vehicle and the integration of payload fairing with 36 satellites will take place. “Based on the success-oriented schedule for the remaining activities, the launch is nominally envisaged during the 3rd/4th week of October”, ISRO said.
The NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a CPSE under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of ISRO, has signed two launch service contracts with M/s Network Access Associated Limited (M/s OneWeb), United Kingdom, for launching OneWeb LEO Broadband Communication Satellites on-board ISRO’s heaviest launcher LVM3.
It is first LVM3 dedicated commercial launch on demand through NSIL. This contract with M/s OneWeb is a historic milestone for NSIL and ISRO, as LVM3, is making its entry into the global commercial launch service market.
OneWeb is a global communications network, powered from space, enabling connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities.
It is implementing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites. India’s Bharti serves as a major investor and shareholder in OneWeb. As part of the Contract, 36 satellites will be placed into orbit by one LVM3, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
All the 36 satellites had arrived at the spaceport of Sriharikota on last month.
