The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) yesterday launched LVM3 rocket carrying 36 OneWeb communications satellites even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the launches as a reflection of India’s aatmanirbharta (self-reliance).

The ISRO successfully launched the second batch of 36 satellites for the UK-based OneWeb. The rocket was launched at 09:00 (03:30 GMT) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre located on the southeastern island of Sriharikota, according to reports by wire agencies.

The launch, which was broadcast by ISRO, completes the deployment of OneWeb’s constellation of more than 600 satellites in orbit that will deliver high-speed Internet to every corner of the world, including India.

This is the second time OneWeb has used ISRO’s services to launch satellites. The first batch of 36 OneWeb satellites was launched into orbit in October 2022 with an Indian rocket.

The OneWeb project is designed to provide high-speed Internet access to users across the globe by 2027. In November 2020, OneWeb declared bankruptcy and was sold to the UK government and Indian company Bharti Global. Some other global companies also have shareholding in OneWeb.

This batch of 36 satellites by the UK-based OneWeb will be its 18th launch to date, its third this year and the second with ISRO

“We have lift off! Thanks to our colleagues at @isro and @NSIL_India for a successful launch. If you don’t already, make sure to follow us for more updates throughout the rest of the mission,” OneWeb tweeted at 9.04 a.m. on Sunday.

In response to the tweet by OneWeb, Prime Minister Modi said; “Congratulations @NSIL_India @INSPACeIND @ISRO on yet another successful launch of LVM3 with 36 @OneWeb satellites. It reinforces India’s leading role as a global commercial launch service provider in the true spirit of Aatmanirbharta.”

This launch will also complete the company’s first-generation LEO (low earth orbit) constellation, enabling the company to initiate global coverage in 2023.

On February 16, these 36 satellites reached India from the US for their launch. On March 15, the satellites were also encapsulated.

The communications satellites were launched by ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3).

After its first launch, OneWeb had said that its partnership with NSIL and ISRO demonstrated its commitment to provide connectivity across the length and breadth of India by 2023.

ISRO’s LVM3 rocket is capable of launching satellites of four-ton class to geosynchronous transfer orbit. It is a three-stage vehicle with two solid motor strapons, a liquid propellant core stage and a cryogenic stage. The OneWeb satellites will be placed in orbit at an altitude of 1,200km above the earth’s surface.

Congratulating his team on a successful launch, chairman ISRO & secretary Department of Space (DoS) Sreedhara Panicker Somanath said, “We look forward to greater engagement with our commercial partners for making this rocket one of the best in its class.”

“Across India, OneWeb will bring secured solutions not only to enterprises but also to towns, villages, municipalities and schools, including the hardest-to-reach areas across the country,” OneWeb said last week.

(Photo courtesy ISRO Twitter handle)