In news: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) heaviest rocket Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3 or GSLV Mark 3) took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, and successfully orbited 36 satellites of U.K.-based OneWeb.
ISRO would place another 36 satellites in the next M3 mission.
This mission is being undertaken as part of the commercial arrangement between NSIL and m/s Network Access Associates Limited (m/s OneWeb Ltd), a U.K. based company.
About LVM3:
LVM3-M2 is the dedicated commercial satellite mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space, Government of India.
The 43.5 metre LVM3 weighing around 644 tonnes carried 36 satellites weighing 5,796 kg or about 5.7 tonne.
With this launch, LVM3 has made its entry into the global commercial launch service market.
The LVM3 was conceived primarily for launching geo-stationary satellites with a payload capacity of 4T, which can be used for launching 6T payloads for LEO.
The mission is very critical to meet the customer’s expectations to launch 36 satellites in 9 phases with precision. The mission was designed in such a way that C25 stage was to handle this operation using in-house built inertial navigation systems.
About OneWeb:
OneWeb is a joint venture between India’s Bharti Enterprises and the U.K. government.
This is OneWeb’s 14th launch, bringing the constellation to 462 satellites.
This launch represents more than 70% of its planned 648 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite fleet that will deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity worldwide.
With only four more launches to go, OneWeb remains on track to activate global coverage in 2023.
Significance:
The launch with ISRO and NSIL opens up the space sector in India with the possibility of billions of dollars flowing into the country.
This partnership with NSIL and ISRO demonstrates OneWeb’s commitment to provide connectivity across the length and breadth of India by 2023.
It will bring secured solutions not only to enterprises but also to towns, villages, municipalities and schools, including the hardest-to-reach areas across the country.
Q.1) With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (2018)
PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
