PSLV successfully launches 31 satellites in a single flight, President Kovind, PM Modi congratulate
Sriharikota, Jan 12 (IBNS): A major landmark in the history of India's space journey was touched when ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its forty second flight, successfully launched the 710 kg Cartosat-2 Series Remote Sensing Satellite along with 30 co-passenger satellites on Fridayfrom Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
This flight is designated as PSLV-C40.
The lift-off of PSLV-C40 occurred at 0929 hrs (9:29 am) IST from the First Launch Pad. After a flight lasting 16 minutes 37 seconds, the satellites achieved the polar Sun Synchronous Orbit of 503 km inclined at an angle of 97.55 degree to the equator. In the succeeding seven minutes, Cartosat-2 series satellite, INS-1C and 28 customer satellites successfully separated from the PSLV in a predetermined sequence.
The fourth stage of PSLV-C40 fired twice for short durations to achieve a polar orbit of 365 km height in which India’s Microsat successfully separated.
After separation, the two solar arrays of Cartosat-2 series satellite deployed automatically and ISRO's Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bengaluru took over the control of the satellite.
In the coming days, the satellite will be brought to its final operational configuration following which it will begin to provide remote sensing data using its panchromatic (black and white) and multispectral (colour) cameras, the ISRO said in a statement.
The 11 kg INS-1C and the 100 kg class Microsat, the two Indian co-passenger satellites of Cartosat-2, are also being monitored and controlled from ISTRAC, Bengaluru, the ISRO said.
The 28 international customer satellites belong to Canada, Finland, France, Republic of Korea, UK and the USA.
So far, PSLV has successfully launched 51 Indian satellites and 237 customer satellites from abroad.
ISRO's achievement was welcomed by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The official Twitter page of the President said: "Launch of India's 100th satellite Cartosat-2, along with two co-passenger satellites as well as 28 satellites of six friendly countries, is a moment of pride for every Indian. Congratulations to @isro team of exceptional scientists. A milestone for our country #PresidentKovind."
Modi congratulated ISRO over the landmark achievement by ISRO.
"My heartiest congratulations to @isro and its scientists on the successful launch of PSLV today. This success in the New Year will bring benefits of the country's rapid strides in space technology to our citizens, farmers, fishermen etc," Modi said.
"The launch of the 100th satellite by @isro signifies both its glorious achievements, and also the bright future of India's space programme," he said.
"Benefits of India's success are available to our partners! Out of the 31 Satellites, 28 belonging to 6 other countries are carried by today's launch," he said.
Calling the step as a landmark in India's space journey, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the successful launch of its 100th satellite.
Singh tweeted: "Congratulations to team @isro on the successful launch of its 100th satellite with Cartosat 2 Series Satellite Mission. The scientists at ISRO have made the nation proud with their successes on several occasions. They have done it again by hitting a century."
He said: "The ISRO’s achievement of launching 100 satellites is historic in many ways and a big landmark in India’s journey into the space. The scientists at ISRO have carved a special place in the astronomical space."
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