The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Saturday launched a constellation of 36 broadband satellites developed by OneWeb to Low Earth Orbit on Sunday. The ISRO confirmed that LVM3-M2/OneWeb India-1 Mission successfully placed 36 satellites into intended orbits. This marked the historic moment for India’s space programme on the eve of Diwali.
ISRO launches 36 satellites of OneWeb onboard #LVM3.
The LVM3-M2 mission is a dedicated commercial mission for a foreign customer OneWeb, through NSIL
🚀First Indian rocket with 6 ton payload. pic.twitter.com/1Cj0vmAMAn
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 22, 2022
The text-book launch of the LVM3-M2 OneWeb India-1 Mission marks the success of the first dedicated commercial satellite mission of New Space India Ltd (NSIL). The LVM3-M2 has now made a strong entry into the global commercial launch service market.
Around 20 minutes after lift off, the rocket successfully places 36 OneWeb satellite into a circular low earth orbit of 601-km altitude.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath said from the control centre, “We have already started the (Diwali) celebration.”
It’s a historic mission and made possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support as he wanted LVM3 to come into the commercial market, with NSIL in the forefront, to operationalise our launch vehicles for exploring and expanding the commercial domain, he said.
