Guwahati: The successful launch of the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO’s) heaviest rocket carrying 36 OneWeb satellites was praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. He said it was an example of Atmanirbharta and strengthened India’s competitive position in the global market for commercial launch services.
ISRO launched 36 communication satellites using its biggest rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh in the night between Saturday and Sunday at 12:07 am.
“Congratulations NSIL, IN-SPACe, ISRO on the successful launch of our heaviest launch vehicle LVM3 with 36 OneWeb satellites meant for global connectivity. LVM3 exemplifies Atmanirbharta & enhances India’s competitive edge in the global commercial launch service market,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
At preparation for the success of the GSLV Mark-3 rocket launch, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath performed a special puja on Saturday morning at the Sri Chengalamma Parameshwari Devi Temple in Sullurpeta, Tirupati.
According to Somanath’s earlier statement on Saturday night, the private communications company OneWeb’s 36 satellites will be launched by ISRO’s rocket LVM3.
“A 24-hour countdown to the launch has started. Another set of 36 OneWeb satellites will be launched by the LVM3 in the first half of next year,” he said.
“GSLV Mark-3 rocket countdown process will continue. The GSLV Mark-3 rocket will be launched from the second launch pad at 00.07 midnight today. GSLV Mark-3 is being launched with 36 satellites in the first phase as part of the agreement of 108 satellites with the UK. Thirty-six satellites are purely for communications. PSLV and SLV rockets will be tested this year,” he added.
“16 out of 36 satellites have been successfully separated safely, and the remaining 20 satellites will be separated,” he said.
“We have already started the (Diwali) celebration. 16 out of 36 satellites have successfully separated safely, and the remaining 20 satellites will be separated. The data will come a little later and the operation of observing is underway,” ISRO Chairman said post-launch.
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this milestone, S Somanath said, “It is a historic mission. It has been possible because of PM Modi’s support as he wanted LVM3 to come into the commercial market, with NSIL in the forefront, to operationalise our launch vehicles for exploring and expanding the commercial domain.”
Meanwhile, Somanath stated that the Chandrayan-3 mission is anticipated to launch in June of next year.
Mission Chandrayaan-3 is almost set to launch in June of next year, Somanath informed the reporters during a news conference following the launch of 36 communication satellites.
“Chandrayaan-3 is almost ready. Final integration and testing are almost complete. Still, some more tests are pending, so we want to do it a little later. There were two slots available one in February and another in June. We would like to take June (2023) slot for the launch,” he said.
Prior to this, Bharti-backed OneWeb a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications provider and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a central public sector entity under the Department of Space, inked two launch service contracts.