India successfully launches military, 28 foreign satellites

Sriharikota: India scripted history by successfully launching Emisat, a military satellite, and 28 foreign nano satellites on-board its polar rocket from here Monday, in a complex mission which marked many a first for Isro.

The rocket, PSLV-C45, in its 47th mission, injected the 436 kg Emisat, aimed at electromagnetic measurement, and 28 co-passenger satellites belonging to Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland and the US, into their designated orbits, Isro said.

The rocket lifted off majestically in clear skies bursting orange flames at 9.27 am from the second launch pad at this spaceport at the end of the 27-hour countdown.

The mission marked several firsts to the credit of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) as it manoeuvred satellites in various orbits and orbital experiments including on maritime satellite applications.

Emisat is meant for electromagnetic measurement, Isro said while declining to reveal any further information about the satellite.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Isro scientists on the successful launch of EMISAT satellite on board polar rocket PSLV-C45 from Sriharikota.

“Today, PSLV C45 has successfully injected Isro made Emisat in 748 km orbit as well as 28 customer satellites in 504 km orbit,” Isro chief K. Sivan said at the Mission Control Centre.

“After completing its main function, the PS4 (fourth stage) is now marching towards the 485 km orbit to do its function as orbital platform for experiments,” he said.

Elaborating, Mr Sivan said, “This time three innovative experiments have been attached. One is AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, Automatic Identification System, and the third one is built by the students of IIST (Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology.”

On Monday’s launch, he said this particular mission was very special for Isro as there were many firsts in it.

“First time a PSLV was flown in a new configuration of four strap on motors.. First time a PSLV is carrying out three orbital missions in a single flight, the first time PS4 (fourth stage) is powered for carrying out experimental platforms and of course a new PSLV team did this function,” he said.