ISROs Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and GSLV-MkIII to become a part of the launch programme for OneWebs LEO satellites.
OneWeb has announced an arrangement through Letter of Intent with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to use the Indian-built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the heavier GSLV-MkIII (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) as potential platforms to launch OneWebs satellites in India from 2022.
The non-binding Letter of Intent was revealed at the launch of the Indian Space Association (ISpA). OneWeb is amongst the founding members of ISpA, which strives to be the collective voice of space and satellite companies in India and will work with stakeholders across for the development of Indias space ecosystem.
By late 2022, OneWeb will offer its high-speed, low latency connectivity services in India and the rest of the world.
OneWeb and NSIL will expeditiously convert the Letter of Intent into a binding agreement after obtaining all necessary approvals from their respective Boards.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of OneWeb, said: ISRO has built formidable launch capabilities and India is part of the select group of countries to have a history of successful launches. OneWeb will be delighted to use ISROs proven platforms to fulfil its vision of taking broadband connectivity across the earth, oceans and sky. We believe this initiative will further the Honble Prime Ministers vision of making India a key hub in the global space ecosystem and also boost the India-UK strategic partnership. We look forward to a deeper engagement with NSIL/ISRO over the coming years.
Dr K. Sivan, Chairman of ISRO: We are delighted to have OneWeb looking into how our launch capabilities can help meet their global ambition to connect people everywhere. We are making tremendous progress and India is advancing its space capabilities and we look forward to working together.
OneWeb will undertake its 11th launch on October 14 with a further 36 satellites on board.
