Where to watch ISRO's LVM-III launch to space with 36 OneWeb satellites?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its LVM3 rocket carrying 36 satellites of the UK-based Network Access Associated Ltd (OneWeb) on Sunday at 9 am.

"The countdown started at 8.30 a.m and is progressing smoothly," the IANS quoted a senior ISRO official as saying. It is be OneWeb's eighteenth launch to-date and its third this year, completing its first generation LEO constellation, and enabling the company to initiate global coverage in 2023.

This is the second mission for Network Access Associates Limited, United Kingdom (OneWeb Group Company) under a commercial agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to launch 72 satellites to Low-Earth Orbits. The first set of 36 satellites was launched in LVM3-M2/OneWeb India-1 mission on October 23, 2022.

In this mission, LVM3 would place 36 OneWeb Gen-1 satellites totaling about 5,805 kg into a 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 87.4 degrees. This is the sixth flight of LVM3. The LVM3 had five consecutive successful missions, including the Chandrayaan-2 mission, a statement from the ISRO said.

The Indian rocket LVM3 stands 43.5 metres tall and weighs 643 tonnes. It will be blast off from the second launch pad at the rocket port in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh carrying OneWeb's final instalment of 36 Gen1 satellites weighing 5,805 kg, according to a report in IANS.

The three-stage rocket, its first stage is fired with liquid fuel, the two strap-on motors powered by solid fuel, the second by liquid fuel, and the cryogenic engine. It has a carrying capacity of 10 tons to the theALEO and four tons to the Geo Transfer Orbit (GTO), the report added.

The process of satellite separation will begin in phases 19 minutes after the rocket's blast off.

The first set of 36 satellites for OneWeb Group company was launched on October 23, 2022. OneWeb is a global communication network powered from the space, enabling connectivity for governments and businesses.

For ISRO this would be the second launch in 2023 after the successful launch of SSLV-D2/EOS07 mission in February.

OneWeb said, "17 launches completed. One pivotal launch remains - OneWeb Launch 18. As we launch another 36 satellites with our colleagues at ISRO and NewSpace India Ltd this weekend (March 26), we will reach 616 satellites in-orbit more than enough satellites to launch global services later this year."

The company said the mission would be one of the "most significant milestones" in the history of OneWeb as it will add 36 satellites to the OneWeb fleet and complete first ever global LEO constellation.

"OneWeb will soon be ready to roll out its global coverage", the Indian space agency said. ISRO said the launch vehicle mission would place the 36 first generation satellites weighing 5,805 kgs into a 450 kms circular orbit with an inclination of about 87.4 degree.

This is the sixth flight of LVM3 which was earlier known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII (GSLVMkIII). It had five consecutive missions including the Chandrayaan-2.

Where to Watch ISRO 36 OneWeb Satellites?
Netizens can watch the launch of LVM3-M3/OneWeb India-2 mission live online.