Thread by @Chethan_Dash

#Update #Thread #Space #Launches

For the first time since its development, India will be using #GSLV class of rockets to launch commercial missions, first of which'll be a @OneWeb constellation. All commercial launches by DoS and its arms so far have been onboard PSLV. 1/n

Now, @NSIL_India has identified #GSLVMk3 for commercial launch of @OneWeb satellites. Sources indicate that the next Mk3 launch could be that of OneWeb, even as another has been identified and is being readied for #Chandrayaan3. 2/n

I was the first to report in October last year about GSLV-Mk3 having inquiries for launching commercial satellites and an impending announcement (see link). 3/n

https://twitter.com/Chethan_Dash/status/1446664522324844548?s=20&t=qiFD0BPnpGAl7z7Vu7g57A

Days later, @OneWeb signed an LoI for the same (see link) and on Apr 21, 2022, it announced its latest agreement with @NSIL_India that will help ensure the firm completes its satellite launch programme. 4/n

https://twitter.com/Chethan_Dash/status/1446664522324844548?s=20&t=qiFD0BPnpGAl7z7Vu7g57A

While it said the first launch with NSIL is anticipated in 2022, it added “other terms of agreement are confidential.” It is now confirmed that the launch will happen on #GSLVMk3 — only logical one would say. 5/n

“The option of #PSLV, given its reliability, was also taken into account. However, given that this is a constellation and the need to launch as many sats as possible in one launch, the much heavier #GSLVMk3 has been chosen,” one source said. 6/n

The source, pointing out that a Mk3 can launch many more OneWeb-class satellites (roughly around 30) in one mission compared to #PSLV (roughly around 6-7), said: “The exact number of OneWeb sats the first Mk-3 mission will carry will be firmed up at a later stage.” 7/n

@OneWeb said the launches through NSIL will add to its total in-orbit constellation of 428 satellites, 66% of the planned total fleet, to build a global network that will deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity. 8/n

The new launch contract follows a separate agreement between OneWeb and SpaceX to enable the company to resume satellite launches, announced in March 2022. Earlier this year, OneWeb had to cancel its launches on Russian launch vehicles following the #Ukraine war. 9/n

@NSIL_India, which recently concluded bid evaluation process for 5 #PSLVs to be built by industry, is also looking to issue an EoI for #GSLVMk3, enabling the industry to build the rocket. 10/n

However, there is no official time frame for the same but NSIL CMD Radhakrishnan D had told me earlier: “Once the #PSLV process is complete, we’ll issue the EoI for GSLV-Mk3. We are specifically looking at Mk-3 and not other GSLV class of launch vehicles.” n/n