OneWeb, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company on Sunday confirmed the successful launch of its 36 satellites by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, India. This launch by ISRO and NSIL is one of the greatest commercial orders by India’s leading space organization and the first to employ the LVM3 rocket.
The take-off took place on Sunday, 23rd October 2022 at 00.07 hours IST. OneWeb’s satellites separated effectively from the rocket and were distributed in nine phases over a time duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes, with the signal acquisition on all 36 satellites affirmed.
14th launch by OneWeb, bringing the constellation to 462 satellites
This is the 14th launch by OneWeb, bringing the constellation to 462 satellites. This launch signifies over 70% of its planned 648 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite fleet that will carry high-speed, low-latency connectivity globally. Through only four more launches, OneWeb continues to stay on the beam to initiate global coverage in 2023, while its connectivity solutions are already live in the north of 50 degrees latitude regions.
This partnership with NSIL and ISRO validates OneWeb’s commitment to offering connectivity throughout the expanse of India by 2023. From Ladakh to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh, OneWeb will bring about secured solutions not only to enterprises but also to towns, villages, municipalities, and schools, involving distant regions across the nation-state. OneWeb’s commitment to enriching connectivity in India is supported by Bharti Global, its largest investor.
LVM3 launch vehicle
The LVM3 launch vehicle realized with comprehensive indigenized technology had four consecutive successful missions, which comprises the significant Chandrayaan-2 mission. The vehicle endured several crucial tests as a part of the human rating for the Gaganyaan program. The cryogenic stage was distinctively created to align and re-align in an orthogonal direction to meet the customer obligations of infusing satellites accurately and with a difference to avoid a collision. The vehicle was realized in a fleeting period on a demand-driven foundation to meet the operator’s timeline
Shri. Somanath S, Secretary, of the Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO, said that the event is ‘’exceptionally historic’’ to the nation and the Indian Space Program. This is the first-ever commercial launch of the LVM3 rocket with the heaviest payload to low Earth orbit (LEO). The LVM3 was created for launching geostationary satellites with a payload capacity of 4T, which can be applied for launching 6T payloads for LEO.
The mission is very crucial to meet the client’s prospects to launch 36 satellites in 9 phases with exactitude. The expedition was designed in a manner, that the C25 stage was to manage this operation using in-house created inertial navigation systems. The infusion of the satellites was so meticulous to the anticipation of the client. NSIL, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), entered into this agreement and accomplished the equivalent at a record point in time, Somanath said.
He added that this would pave the way for further launches in the time to come. The collaboration with OneWeb was so seamless, right from the receipt of the satellites until infusion. ISRO and OneWeb teams worked like a family unit. He congratulated all the ISRO centers and Indian industries for their estimable job and commend NSIL and OneWeb for the successful launch of the LVM3 M2/ One Web India-1 mission.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Executive Chairman of OneWeb, said that this is a significant breakthrough for OneWeb. This new phase of their launch program from India takes them a step nearer to enhancing their international coverage and bringing connectivity in India and South Asia, specifically to the communities who require it the most.
Mittal added that he is proud to be here in Sriharikota, with his partners, ISRO and NSIL. This launch with ISRO and NSIL opens the space sector in India with the probability of billions of dollars rolling into the nation.
Mr. Mittal lauded the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership in launching the space sector for private involvement. He also extended his gratitude to ISRO, NSIL, and the Indian authorities for coordinating the detailed program for this launch, which has been accomplished in a record moment in time.
Radhakrishnan D, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NewSpace India Limited, added that the successful launch of 36 OneWeb satellites by the ‘‘GSLV-MkIII’’ is a historical moment for NSIL and ISRO. NSIL functioned closely with the OneWeb team to support this breakthrough launch, which was achieved in a few months, while also demonstrating the prospects for satellite connectivity in India. NSIL looks forward to bolstering its partnership with OneWeb and using the potential that LEO connectivity must deliver broadband services throughout India.
Neil Masterson, Chief Executive of OneWeb, expressed his delight to have been able to resume OneWeb’s launch program. Masterson thanked the team for their arduous work and partners at ISRO and NSIL, as well as shareholder Bharti Global. The essence of partnership epitomized worldwide endeavor is at the center of their strategy to size up their global coverage network. At OneWeb, remains laser-focused on eliminating obstacles to connectivity, ensuring that it delivers for communities and customers worldwide, he added.
Over the upcoming months, OneWeb will continue its focus on the launch program and will also work with key distribution associates and clients to roll out connectivity solutions where its services are live. OneWeb will expand innovative strategic partnerships with prominent firms in the communications sector, and sign agreements in the next coming months to support the rollout of its coverage solutions, Masterson stated.