ISRO creates history, successfully launches record 20 satellites

Spacecraft health checks and propellant filling operation of the second stage (PS2) of PSLV- C34 are under progress.

Nellore

: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has created a new record by launching 20 satellites, including those from the US, Germany, Canada and Indonesia, in a single mission on Wednesday from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C-34 (PSLV) carried India’s latest earth observation Cartosat-2 series satellite, two satellites of Indian academic institutions and 17 satellites of various international customers at 9.26 am on Wednesday from Shar.

The 48-hour countdown activity for the launch started on Monday at 9.26 am and ISRO said it progressed smoothly.

The countdown began after the launch authorisation board (LAB) gave its nod and filling of Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON-3) of PS4 was completed Monday.

Panoramic view of fully integrated PSLV-C34 with all the 20 Spacecrafts being moved to second launch pad (SLP).

Spacecraft health checks and propellant filling operation of the second stage (PS2) of PSLV- C34 are under progress and the countdown is progressing.

“Spacecraft health checks and preparations for propellant filling operation of second stage (PS2) of PSLV-C34 are under progress. Countdown is progressing normally,” ISRO said.

Cartosat-2 Series is similar to the earlier Cartosat-2, 2A and 2B, and 19 co-passenger satellites together weighing about 560 kg at lift-off would be injected into a 505-km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit.

According to ISRO, the total weight of all the 20 satellites is about 1,288 kg. The co-passengers include satellites from the US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia as well as two satellites from Indian Universities.

The mission will carry LAPAN A3 of Indonesia, BIROS of Germany, SKYSAT GEN 2-1 of US, MVV of Germany among the micro satellites, ISRO sources had earlier said.

Meanwhile, a team of senior scientists of ISRO led by Mr V. Jayaraman offered prayers at the holy shrine in Tirumala after placing the replica of PSLV-C34 at the feet of the presiding deity on Tuesday. Temple officials arranged Darshan and Prasadams to the team.