ISRO to launch 2nd batch of One Web's 36 satellites using LVM-3 on Mar 26

ISRO will be using its heaviest rocket LVM-3 (GSLV-MkIII) to launch the UK-based Network Access Associated Limited (OneWeb)'s 36 satellites into a low earth orbit.

In a tweet today, OneWeb said "We are targeting no earlier than Sunday 26 March, 3:30AM GMT / 9:00AM IST / 11:30PM ET (25 March) for
#OneWebLaunch18; the final launch to complete our constellation".

"Our golden 'Hello World' mission patch for this launch reflects our initiation of global coverage this year. OneWeb Launch18 will see us launch 36 satellites with @isro and @NSIL_India from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India," it said

This mission marks OneWeb’s second satellite deployment from India, highlighting the collaboration between the UK and Indian space industries.

Earlier, OneWeb, backed by Indian telecom major Bharti Group, tweeted that all the 36 satellites were encapsulated in the LVM-3 rocket's heatshield and this launch of 36 satellites will complete our Gen-1 constellation.

"Exciting news from India as we confirm the encapsulation of our 36 satellites ahead of #OneWebLaunch18; our final launch which will complete our Gen 1 constellation," it said.

OneWeb at present has 582 satellites in orbit. After the launch of the second batch of 36 satellites on march 26, the total number OneWeb’s low earth orbit satellites will go up to 618.

By completing the constellation, OneWeb will be taking a pivotal step forward
in delivering global coverage including India.

ISRO had launched the first batch of 36 OneWeb satellites on October 23, 2022 from the SHAR Range using the LVM3 launch vehicle.

The launch followed the signing of a contract between ISRO's commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) and OneWeb to launch 72 satellites in two phases.

A few days back OneWeb had launched 40 satellites through SpaceX’s rocket.

(Using UNI inputs)