Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Jan 12: ISRO’s workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) successfully lifted off from the spaceport here on Monday, carrying an Earth observation satellite along with 14 other commercial payloads for domestic and international customers.
The launch, marking ISRO’s first mission of the year, was undertaken as part of a contract secured by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the national space agency.
The 44.4-metre-tall, four-stage PSLV rocket blasted off from the first launch pad at the scheduled time of 10.18 am. After a flight lasting about 17 minutes, the mission is expected to deploy the satellites into a Sun Synchronous Orbit at an altitude of nearly 511 kilometres.
Following the successful separation of all payloads, scientists will restart the rocket’s fourth stage (PS4) to initiate a de-boost manoeuvre and place it on a re-entry trajectory for the release of the final payload — the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) capsule.
The entire post-separation sequence is expected to continue for over two hours after lift-off. ISRO said both the PS4 stage and the KID capsule will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and splash down in the South Pacific Ocean. (Agencies)
