PM Modi Congratulates ISRO on Successful Launch of Heaviest Vehicle LVM3, says it Exemplifies ‘Atmanirbharta’

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 23rd Oct. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on the successful launch of its heaviest rocket, carrying 36 OneWeb satellites, on Sunday, saying it exemplifies Atmanirbharta and strengthens India’s competitiveness in the global commercial launch service market.

ISRO launched 36 communication satellites in its heaviest rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota at 12:07 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

“Congratulations NSIL, IN-SPACe, ISRO on the successful launch of our heaviest launch vehicle LVM3 with 36 OneWeb satellites meant for global connectivity. LVM3 exemplifies Atmanirbharta & enhances India’s competitive edge in the global commercial launch service market,” PM Modi tweeted.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath performed a special pooja at the Sri Chengalamma Parameshwari Devi Temple in Sullurpeta, Tirupati district, on Saturday morning to ensure the success of the GSLV Mark-3 rocket launch.

Somanath stated earlier on Saturday evening that ISRO’s rocket LVM3 will carry 36 satellites of the private communications firm OneWeb.

“A 24-hour countdown to the launch has started. Another set of 36 OneWeb satellites will be launched by the LVM3 in the first half of next year,” he said.

“GSLV Mark-3 rocket countdown process will continue. The GSLV Mark-3 rocket will be launched from the second launch pad at 00.07 midnight today. GSLV Mark-3 is being launched with 36 satellites in the first phase as part of the agreement of 108 satellites with the UK. Thirty-six satellites are purely for communications. PSLV and SLV rockets will be tested this year,” he added.

“16 out of 36 satellites have been successfully separated safely, and the remaining 20 satellites will be separated,” he said.

“We have already started the (Diwali) celebration. 16 out of 36 satellites have successfully separated safely, and the remaining 20 satellites will be separated. The data will come a little later and the operation of observing is underway,” ISRO Chairman said post-launch.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this milestone, S Somanath said, “It is a historic mission. It has been possible because of PM Modi’s support as he wanted LVM3 to come into the commercial market, with NSIL in the forefront, to operationalise our launch vehicles for exploring and expanding the commercial domain.”

Meanwhile, Somanath has stated that its Chandrayan-3 mission will most likely launch in June of next year.

Somanath told reporters at a press conference following the launch of 36 communication satellites that mission Chandrayaan-3 is almost ready to launch in June of next year.

“Chandrayaan-3 is almost ready. Final integration and testing are almost complete. Still, some more tests are pending, so we want to do it a little later. There were two slots available one in February and another in June. We would like to take June (2023) slot for the launch,” he said.

NSIL, a central public sector enterprise under the Department of Space, had previously signed two launch service contracts with Bharti-backed OneWeb, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company.