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Isro regains confidence with successful launch

Heat shield had created problems for the failed mission.

Nellore: Putting aside the doubts over its performance, following the failure of its earlier flight (PSLV-C39) in August last year, Isro’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle was back with a bang, enhancing confidence of scientists on its prowess.

The PSLV-C40 successfully launched three satellites of India, besides 20 customer ones into designated orbit with textbook precision from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Shar, Sriharikota in SPSR Nellore district on Friday.

With failure of the PSLV-C39 mission launched in August 31, fresh in their minds, the entire Isro team was glued to their computer systems at the Mission Control Room holding their breath as the PSLV zoomed into the space from India’s spaceport.

The team was seen beaming and congratulating each other after the range controller announced the successful separation of different stages, especially the heat shield, two minutes and 31 seconds after take-off and deployment of all the satellites except India’s Microsat, which was injected into a lower obit an hour later.

It may be recalled that the heat shield had created problem last time. For the second time, Isro launched the satellites into the multiple orbits. chairman Kirankumar said the launch was a New Year gift to the people. Shar director Kunhi Krishnan said the success was a tribute to the outgoing chairman A.S. Kirankumar and a welcome to chairman-designate Dr K. Sivan. Following the 28-hour countdown activities, the 44-metre tall PSLV-C40 rocket lifted off from the first launch pad.

Satellites include 9 student models by universities
Contrary to the media reports over Isro’s century with respect to satellites of India with the launch of three satellites of the country on Friday, Isro chairman A.S. Kirankumar said the number referred to satellites rolled out of Isro’s satellite centre in Bengaluru.

He told mediapersons after the successful launch of PSLV-C40/Cartosat-2 series mission that the satellites included nine student ones made by some universities while hinting that they could not be counted in Isro’s account.

He said that the preparations pertaining to Chandrayaan-2 Mission were in progress to meet the schedule and the flight models were being subjected to various tests. It was the second mission to the moon from India and Isro’s target to explore lunar surface with a rover. The mission comprised an orbiter, lander and a six-wheeled rover with instruments to transmit data for analysis on lunar soil.

Indian, Int’l co-passenger Satellites
Microsatellite (India): This is a 100 kg class satellite meant for technology demonstration and the fore runner for future satellites of this series. It is modular in design and can be fabricated and tested independently of payload.
Indian Nano Satellite-IC (INS0-1C): Is the 3rd satellite in Indian Nanosatellite series.

  • The 1st two satellites of this series were carried as co-passenger payloads by PSLV-C37 in February 2017. INS-1C carries a Miniature Multispectral Technology
  • Demonstration (MMZ-TD) Payload from Space Application Centre (SAC) of ISRO. The data can be utilised for topographic mapping, vegetation monitoring, aerosol scattering studies and cloud studies.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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