Countdown Begins for PSLV-C61 Launch Carrying EOS-09 Satellite
Isro to launch Earth Observation Satellite-09 on May 18 from Sriharikota
Nellore: Stage is set for the launch of India’s reliable workhorse PSLV-C61 to put Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09 into orbit.
The launch is scheduled for 5:59 a.m. on Sunday from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota.
The 22-hour countdown for the launch began at 7:59 a.m. on Saturday. SHAR sources said the countdown is proceeding smoothly and the launch is expected to go as scheduled.
Senior officials of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), including chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, are present at SHAR to oversee and ensure the success of their 101st mission.
Security has been tightened around SHAR, with a large deployment of CISF personnel guarding key installations, monitoring the coastline, and securing all access roads to India's premier spaceport.
As a precautionary measure following Operation Sindoor, SHAR authorities have closed the Launch View Gallery for public.
But a 23-member Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology, Forest, and Environment will be present to witness the launch.
ISRO chairman briefed the committee about ISRO’s ongoing and upcoming activities on Saturday afternoon.
Post the launch on Sunday, the parliament committee members are expected to depart for Tirupati, sources stated.