ISRO created history, launched 104 satellites in one go
This was ISRO’s first space mission for the year 2017, and the most complicated mission it has ever carried out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the space agency for the historic event that significantly boosts India’s space programme.
The space agency began the countdown for the launch of the polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)’s 39th flight on Tuesday after the Mission Readiness Review committee and Launch Authorisation Board gave its approval for lift off, ISRO said.
The PSLV C37 included the primary satellite (Cartosat-2) and 101 international nano satellites. It also launched two of its own nano satellites, INS-1A and INS-1B.
PSLV first launched the 714 kg Cartosat-2 Series satellite for earth observation, followed by the INS-1A and INS-1B, after it reached the polar Sun Synchronous Orbit. It then went on to inject 103 co-passenger satellites, together weighing about 664 kg, in pairs.
ISRO scientists used the XL Variant – the most powerful rocket – earlier used in the ambitious Chandrayaan and during the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).
The PSLV was carrying the 714 kg-Cartosat 2 for earth observation and 103 smaller ‘nano satellites’ which weighed a combined 664 kg. In total, the entire launch carried a satellite mass of about 1,378 kg.
Of the 101 co-passenger satellites, 96 of these belong to USA, and one each are from ISRO’s international customers Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates.
Two of India’s nano satellites -- INS-1A and INS-1B, weighed about 30 kg.
The nano-satellites belonging to international customers were launched through Antrix Corporation Ltd (ANTRIX), the commercial arm of ISRO.
Cartosat-2 Series, the primary satellite, is similar to the earlier four satellites in Cartosat-2 Series.
This is a very proud moment for every Indian.
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