The launch is a major step towards putting in place a seamless global communication network powered from space
In a major step towards ensuring seamless connectivity services across the world, the Indian Space Research Organisation (IRSO) successfully launched the LVM3-M3/OneWeb India-2 Mission on Sunday. Here is what we know about the LVM3-M3/OneWeb India-2 Mission 1. At 9 am on Sunday (March 26, 2023), 36 satellites were launched to Low Earth Orbits by ISRO using its heavy vehicle LMV-M3. The launch took place from the SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. 2. This was the second mission for M/s. Network Access Associates Limited, United Kingdom (OneWeb Group Company) under a commercial agreement with M/s. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL, a state-owned enterprise, to launch 72 satellites to Low-Earth Orbits (LEO). 3. The first set of 36 satellites was launched in LVM3-M2/OneWeb India-1 mission on October 23, 2022. 4. During the second mission on Sunday, LVM3 placed 36 OneWeb Gen-1 satellites totaling about 5,805 kg into a 450-km circular orbit with an inclination of 87.4 degrees. 5. During this mission, 36 satellites were separated in nine phases, in a batch of four. According to ISRO, OneWeb confirmed the acquisition of signals from all 36 satellites. 6. OneWeb is a global communication network powered from space, enabling connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities. India's Bharti Enterprises is a major investor in OneWeb, which is putting in place a constellation of LEO satellites. 7. Last year, Bharti Enterprises had said that OneWeb will connect towns, villages, and local and regional municipalities in the hard-to-reach areas, playing a critical role in bridging the digital divide across India. 8. This was OneWeb's 18th launch, its third this year, bringing the total of its constellation to 618. Once the project is completed, the constellation will have 648 individual satellites. 9. OneWeb had earlier said that with this launch, there would be more than enough satellites to launch global services later in 2023. Satellites in the OneWeb constellation will deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity services around the world. 10. This was the sixth flight of LVM3, ISRO's heavy lift launcher. The LVM3 had five consecutive successful missions, including the Chandrayaan-2 mission, earlier.