ISRO’s GSLV MkIII: According to a senior official of the Indian space agency, the countdown for the historic launch of the country’s rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII (GSLV MkIII) will start at 12.07 a.m. on Saturday.
On October 23, the rocket will launch 36 tiny Network Access Associated Ltd (OneWeb) broadband communication satellites into low earth orbit.
OneWeb is a partnership between the UK government and India Bharti Global.
The satellite provider intends to provide communication services using a constellation of 650 satellites in low earth orbit (LEO).
The rocket carrying 36 satellites is scheduled to launch on October 23 at 12.07 a.m., according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
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24 hours prior to the rocket’s mission, the countdown to liftoff will start, an ISRO official informed the news agency.
The rocket and satellite systems will be examined during the countdown. The rocket’s fuel will also be replenished.
The mission will be remembered in history since it is the first time in ISRO’s history that a GSLV rocket would be used for a commercial launch.
GSLV MkIII is a three stage rocket, powered by solid fuel for the first stage, liquid fuel for the second stage, and a cryogenic engine for the third stage.
The LEO carrying capacity of the ISRO’s heavy lift rocket is 10 tonnes, while the geo transfer orbital carrying capability is 4 tonnes (GTO).
OneWeb satellites will have a six-ton overall launch mass, an official said.
The dispenser system for the 36 satellites will be produced by Beyond Gravity, a Swiss company that was formerly known as RUAG Space.
The satellite dispensers for the launch of 428 OneWeb satellites were previously provided by the Beyond Gravity.
“The provider provided the dispenser with 36 satellites. All of their past launches utilised it “official from ISRO claimed.
This is the first time a Beyond Gravity dispenser has been installed in an Indian rocket.
Since 1999, the ISRO has launched 345 foreign spacecraft into orbit.
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36 OneWeb satellites will be successfully launched, bringing the total to 381.
OneWeb plans to launch another 36-satellite batch in orbit in January 2023.
In order to complete the constellation, OneWeb had stated that “one additional launch will take place this year and three more are slated for early next year.”
OneWeb’s constellation already has 462 satellites, which is more than 70% of the satellites needed for OneWeb to
Bharti Enterprises, a major investor and shareholder in OneWeb, this year announced a distribution partnership with Hughes Communications India Private Ltd.
The NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) the commercial arm of ISRO has signed two contracts with Network Access Associated Ltd (OneWeb) for launching the latter’s broadband communication satellites in low earth orbit.
Another set of 36 satellites from OneWeb is planned to be put into orbit in January 2023.
Earlier, the OneWeb satellites were launched by Russian rockets. Following Russia’s military action against Ukraine, OneWeb decided to look at other rockets.
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In a way, it is Russia’s loss and India’s gain.
They also said that to cash in on the opportunities, India should accelerate its satellite launch capabilities, and announce productivity-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for the aerospace sector.
Chaitanya Giri, Founder, DAWON Advisory & Intelligence, had told the news agency, “All those countries feeling the pinch due to the absence of Russian rockets for satellite launches may look at alternatives. While the bulk of the satellite launch contracts will be taken by the US and Europe, there will be others who may look at other options. India’s neutrality has created a new market segment.”
The board of OneWeb — jointly owned by India’s Bharti Global and the UK government — had voted to suspend satellite launches from the Baikonur rocket port in Russia.
