India will create history if the country’s space research organization (ISRO) successfully carries out the record-setting Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission. This mission is set to deploy 104 mini-satellites via a single rocket. ISRO has begun the 28-hour countdown for the launch of this spaceport from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Prior to the launch, ISRO has also released two preview videos for this mission. One of the video streams a brief history of satellite launches in India. It records the space agency’s progress over the years displaying continuous efforts leading to the significant launch. The videos also show rare videos and some of the earliest satellite missions from our country. These include small sounding rockets as well. The videos are issued so as to appraise the attempts of researchers and scientists involved with the PSLV mission.
The other video focuses on the rocket launch. It shows the preparation for launch at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The video also displays significant missions to the moon and Mars which paved the way for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission. It also offers detailed information of every satellite included in the rocket. Included in the information, their work area has also been defined within the video.
The countdown for the launch of PSLV-C37/Cartosat2 Series satellite mission began at 5:28 AM for 28-hours. Counting to that, the rocket will kick off at 9:28 am on 15 February 2017. The space agency was granted approval by Mission Readiness Review committee and Launch Authorisation Board with regards to the lift off.
Prior to the mentioned mission, Russian Space Agency has been successful in launching 37 satellites in one go. Speaking about the PSLV, it will initiate with 714 kg CARTOSAT-2 Series satellite for earth observation. After the lift-off, it will then inject 103 co-passenger satellites, together weighing about 664 kg at the launch into polar Sun Synchronous Orbit.
Scientists have used one of the most powerful rockets available- the XL variant. The same variant was previously channelized under the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). Among the 103 co-passenger satellites, two of them belong to India. The two Indian nano satellites, totally weighing about 1,378 kg are being launched as part of the arrangement by Antrix Corporation Ltd (ANTRIX), the commercial arm of the ISRO.
The mentioned satellites christened as INS-1A and INS-1B were developed as co-passenger satellites to assist larger satellites on PSLV. Moreover, the satellites will provide an opportunity for ISRO technology demonstration payloads. They will also act as a standard bus for launch on demand services. While INS-1A offers Surface Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function Radiometer, INS-1B carries Earth Exosphere Lyman Alpha Analyser as payloads.
Out of other 101 satellites, while 96 belong to USA, five of them credit to International customers of ISRO including Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates. The key satellite for the mission, Cartosat-2 Series is alike four other satellites included in the series. The said satellite has a mission life of five years and will play a vital role post its successful launch.
The main objective of the mission is remote sensing services. The images so received through the cluster of satellites will be utilized towards monitoring of road network, coastal land use and regulation as well as distribution of water and creation of land use maps, among others.
Moreover, Doordarshan has scheduled a pre-launch program of forty minutes before the launch. ISRO’s official site will further live stream the process for this launch.
