Chennai: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its 100th satellite from the port of Sriharikota on Friday morning, the space agency’s last lift-off under the chairmanship of AS Kiran Kumar.
On its 42nd mission, ISRO trusted workhorse 'PSLV-C40' carried the weather observation 'Cartosat-2' series satellite and 30 co-passengers (together weighing about 613 kg) at 9.28 am.
The 30 other satellites comprise one micro and nano satellite each from India as well as three micro and 25 nano satellites from six countries — Canada, Finland, France, Korea, the United Kingdom and United States of America.
The total weight of all the 31 satellites carried on-board PSLV-C40 is about 1,323 kg.
The 28 international customer satellites were launched as part of the commercial arrangements between ISRO and its commercial arm 'Antrix Corporation Ltd'.
Scientists would bring down the height by restarting twice the fourth stage of the PSLV-C40 for launch of Microsat satellite, which will be placed in a 359 km polar SSO, ISRO said.
It carries panchromatic and multi-spectral cameras operating in Time Delay Integration mode and is capable of delivering high resolution data.
My heartiest congratulations to @isro and its scientists on the successful launch of PSLV today. This success in the New Year will bring benefits of the country's rapid strides in space technology to our citizens, farmers, fishermen etc. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2018
The launch of the 100th satellite by @isro signifies both its glorious achievements, and also the bright future of India's space programme. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2018
Friday’s launch also marks the first for ISRO in 2018 following the unsuccessful mission of navigation satellite IRNSS-1H last year. On August 31, 2017 India's mission to launch its backup navigation satellite IRNSS-1H on board PSLV-C39 failed after the heat shield did not separate in the final leg of the launch sequence and as a result, the satellite IRNSS-1H got stuck in the fourth stage of the rocket.(With PTI Inputs)
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