In its thirty ninth flight PSLV-C37, ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle successfully launched the 714 kg Cartosat-2 Series Satellite along with 103 co-passenger satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the thirty eighth consecutively successful mission of PSLV.
The total weight of all the 104 satellites carried on-board PSLV-C37 was 1378 kg. PSLV-C37 lifted off at 9:28 am IST, as planned, from the First Launch Pad. The total number of Indian satellites launched by PSLV now stands at 46.
After separation, the two solar arrays of Cartosat-2 series satellite were deployed automatically and ISRO’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network at Bangalore 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 services using its panchromatic (black and white) and multispectral (colour) cameras.
Of the 103 co-passenger satellites carried by PSLV-C37, two – ISRO Nano Satellite-1 weighing 8.4 kg and INS-2 weighing 9.7 kg – are technology demonstration satellites from India.
With today’s successful launch, the total number of customer satellites from abroad launched by India’s workhorse launch vehicle PSLV has reached 180.
Here are some pics of ISRO and the satellite launch:
In 1980s ISRO scientists used bullock carts to carry satellite
In 1981 ISRO scientists carried India’s First Communication APPLE Satellite on bullock cart. Image courtesy: @IndiaHistorypic
The PSLV-C37
which carried 104 satellites, on the eve of its launch at the spaceport in Sriharikota. Image courtesy: PTI.
The PSLV-C37
India’s trusted workhorse, the PSLV-C37, which carried 104 satellites at the spaceport in Sriharikota. Image courtesy: PTI
PSLV-C37 carried Cartosat-2 Series Satellite
Cartosat-2 Series Satellite which was carried by PSLV-C37 has high resolution payloads with improved revisit capability.
PSLV-C37 had 101 foreign co-passenger satellites
The rocket’s 101 co-passenger satellites were international customer satellites from USA (96), The Netherlands (1), Switzerland (1), Israel (1), Kazakhstan (1) and UAE (1).
Launch mesmerises people
People watch as as a rocket from Space agency Indian Space Research Organisation takes off successfully to launch a record 104 satellites, including India’s earth observation satellite on-board PSLV-C37 from the spaceport of Sriharikota. Image courtesy: PTI.
ISRO launches 104 satellites
ISRO created history by successfully launching a world record 104 satellites into respective orbits. Image courtesy: @AkashvaniAIR