ISRO countdown for UK satellites' launch begins

Tirupati: Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro) began at 8:30 am on Saturday its countdown for the launch of LVM3-M3 / OneWeb India-2 Mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Tirupati district.

According to Isro, the countdown of Launch Vehicle Mark-3 is progressing smoothly and all its health parameters have proved normal so far. The 43.5-metre-tall rocket is scheduled to take off at 9 am on Sunday.

This is Isro’s second mission for UK-based Network Access Associates Limited (OneWeb Group Company) under a commercial agreement for launch of 72 satellites into Low-Earth Orbits (LEO). The first set of 36 satellites went up with LVM3-M2 / OneWeb India-1 Mission on October 23, 2022.

During Sunday’s mission, LVM3 will place the remaining 36 OneWeb Gen-1 satellites – totally weighing about 5,805 kg – into a 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 87.4 degrees. This will be the sixth flight of the heavy lift launcher LVM3. All its previous five launches have been successful, including the Chandrayaan-2 mission.

UK-based OneWeb is a global communication network powered from space, providing connectivity to governments, businesses, and communities. The company is placing a constellation of LEO satellites.

India’s Bharti Enterprises is a major investor and shareholder in OneWeb.

Sunday’s will be OneWeb’s 18th launch, its third this year, bringing its total of satellites in LEO to over 600. It will be a major milestone, as it will enable the company to provide global coverage.