GSLV first commercial to launch just after midnight today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India’s biggest rocket, GSLV Mk III will launch from Sriharikota just after midnight (12.07 am) carrying 36 small satellites of London-based company OneWeb.

The 36 satellites are OneWeb’s broadband communication satellites and weigh a total of 6 tonnes.

The countdown for the launch has begun 24 hours before. During this time, the systems of the rocket and the satellites will be examined. The fuel will be filled.

The OneWeb’s satellites were brought to Chennai from Florida in the United States on a goods plane. From Chennai, it was transported by road to Sriharikota.

The responsibility of the launch is with ISRO’s commercial wing, New Space India Limited.

Till now the commercial launches of ISRO were done by PSLV rockets. This is the first time the GSLV rocket, which can carry up to 10 tonnes, is used for a commercial launch. The GSLV Mk III has three stage engine with solid, liquid, and cryogenic engines.