ANS: India’s LVM3-M3 carrying 36 OneWeb satellites successfully placed into orbit. The One Web India – 2 mission took off from the second launch pad of the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh successfully at 9 this morning.
This is the second part of the collaborative mission of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the One Web Group in the United Kingdom (UK), in collaboration with NewSpace India Ltd. (NSIL), during which it added an additional 36 satellites into the lower orbit of the earth. This mission was very similar to its first mission, during which it added the first 36 satellites to the lower orbit (LEO) in October 2022.
ISRO’s commercial branch, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), has agreed to launch 72 satellites for OneWeb over the course of two stages for a total launch price of over Rs 1,000 crore. This contract was signed by NSIL.
According to reports, the 43-metre-tall launch vehicle successfully completed all three stages, including the ignition of the cryogenic engine, within the time limit.
The data is being tracked by ground stations in Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, and Bangalore, as well as a ship station in Antarctica, it said.
Following the launch, ISRO Chairman Somnath stated that the first 16 satellites of the one web India – 2 series were placed in the correct orbit, and the remaining 20 satellites will be positioned soon.
Asserting that the mission was a success with no glitches and looking forward to more such missions in the future, he stated that the cryogenic engines used in these missions would also be used in the Gaganyaan mission. He stated that the ISRO will conduct another commercial launch in April.
“ISRO will conduct another commercial launch in April. He thanked the Prime Minister for his support of ISRO’s efforts, saying it increased the organization’s employees’ confidence,” he added.
The NSIL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Radhakrishnan, stated that the use of the cryogenic Mark 3 engine proved successful, and that the extremely difficult manoeuvres of the satellites were performed admirably.
Mission Director Mohanakumar, it was one of the heaviest payloads and the nine sequential events were flawless. He stated that the one web India – 2 mission would last 72 days.
“The satellite was assembled in the newly constructed second building with the highest safety standards,” he said.