OneWeb Completes V1 Constellation With India Launch

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (LVM3) achieved its sixth consecutive successful flight today, successfully placing 36 satellites OneWeb into their intended 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 87.4 degrees. The launch vehicle took off at 09:00:20 hours local time from the second launch pad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, with a total payload of 5,805 kg.

The C25 stage performed a sophisticated maneuver to repeatedly orient itself in orthogonal directions and inject satellites into precise orbits with defined time-gaps to avoid collision of the satellites. 36 satellites were separated in nine phases, in a batch of four, and OneWeb confirmed the acquisition of signals from all 36 satellites.

This successful mission marked OneWeb's second launch from India. It was OneWeb's 18th launch, bringing the total of OneWeb's constellation to 618 satellites.

This launch was significant for OneWeb because it concluded their constellation of Version 1 OneWeb internet satellites. While launches for backup satellites are planned, todays launch marks the completion of the required satellites for the constellation to operate globally.

The vehicle, GSLV MK III, performed nominally throughout the mission with deployment of 36 OneWeb satellites confirmed in their target orbit.