ISRO's heaviest rocket successfully places 36 sattelites in orbit

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched 36 satellites in its heaviest rocket, LVM3, on 23 October 2022.

isro heaviest rocket: ISRO launches 36 broadband satellites in its heaviest rocket from Sriharikota - The Economic Times

ISRO's heaviest rocket blasted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota in the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday at 12:07 am to place 36 broadband communication satellites into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for a UK-based OneWeb.

OneWeb is a private satellite communications company, in which India's Bharti Enterprises is a major investor and shareholder.

ISRO's heaviest vehicle, LMV3, is also dubbed as one of the heaviest for its ability to carry satellites up to 8,000 kg.

The mission assumes significance as this was LVM3's maiden commercial mission and also NewSpace India's (NSIL) first with the said launch vehicle. NSIL is a central public sector enterprise under the Department of Space.

The 43.5 metre tall rocket was launched at 12.07 am after at the end of the 24-hour countdown with a payload of 5,796 kg. The LVM3-M2 rocket is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of two solid propellant S200 strap-ons on its sides and core stage comprising L110 liquid stage and C25 cryogenic stage.

Just after 19 minutes after the launch, the LVM3 placed the 36 small broadband communication satellites in low earth orbit (LEO).