ISRO’s PSLV C-34 Launch Is a Major Landmark: Mission Director

The combined weight of all the 20 satellites is about 1,288 kg.

A photo of PSLV C30 from earlier take off. (Photo Courtesy: ISRO)

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched as many as 20 satellites including India’s earth observation Cartosat-2 on Wednesday.

After P Kunhikrishan, Director of SDSC-SHAR, B Jayalumar, the Mission Director addressed the country and congratulated his fellow employees for the successful launch.

The countdown exercise includes spacecraft health checks and preparations for propellant filling operation of second stage (PS2) of PSLV-C34.

The 19 other satellites include Google company Terra Bella’s SkySat Gen2, Planet Lab’s Dove Satellites and others.

The 48-hour countdown began on Monday at 9:26 am for the launch of 20 satellites onboard PSLV C-34 from Sriharikota. The launch is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

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

<b>ISRO</b>

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 on Monday.

A PSLV rocket during the integration of the first stage at Mobile Service Tower (Photo Courtesy: ISRO)

Cartosat-2 Series 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 would carry LAPAN A3 of Indonesia, BIROS of Germany, SKYSAT GEN 2-1 of US, MVV of Germany among the micro satellites.

(With agency inputs)