The Indian launch vehicle LVM3-M3 launched into Earth orbit with a batch of 36 communications satellites from the British company OneWeb. It is reported by RBC with reference to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
The launch took place at 9:00 ET (6:30 Moscow time).
The report of the organization notes that this is the second mission to launch OneWeb satellites, which is carried out with the help of an Indian rocket. The first was implemented in October 2022 as part of a contract between OneWeb and ISRO. Then the rocket delivered the first batch of 36 satellites into orbit. A total of 648 devices are planned to be delivered.
OneWeb satellites are designed to provide broadband Internet using mobile satellite communications. Communities with poor Internet connectivity can join the network using the OneWeb system, according to the organization’s website.
Previously, OneWeb cooperated with Roskosmos on the delivery of satellites to near-Earth orbit, but in early March, the organization’s board of directors decided to suspend preparations for all planned launches from the Baikonur cosmodrome. Former head of Roskosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, demanded guarantees from the company that the satellites that were supposed to be launched from Baikonur would not be used for military purposes. On March 21, OneWeb agreed on satellites with the American SpaceX.
Source: Rosbalt
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