Chennai: In less than two weeks after successfully launching the heaviest rocket GSLV-Mk III-D2 with GSAT-29 satellite, the Indian Space Research Organisation geared up for another launch on Thursday.
Isro's workhorse PSLV-C43 rocket will launch earth observation satellite Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) and 30 co-passenger satellites including 23 satellites from Sriharikota.
After announcing that 28-hour countdown for the mission will start at 5.57 am on Thursday, the space research organisation has delayed the countdown by a minute to ensure favourable conditions for launch.
The countdown for the mission will begin at 5.58 am on Wednesday.
HysIS can provide global coverage on a repetitive basis to users. “It can be used for a wide range of applications in agriculture, forestry, geological environments, coastal zones and inland waters,” Isro said.
The co-passengers of HysIS include one Micro and 29 Nanosatellites from eight different countries, the agency said, adding, all these satellites will be placed in a 504 km orbit by PSLV-C43.
The countries comprise the United States of America (23 satellites), Australia, Canada, Columbia, Finland, Malaysia, Netherlands and Spain (one satellite each).
The mission life of HysIS is five years and it will be placed in 636 km polar sun-synchronous orbit. PSLV-C43 is 45th flight of PSLV rocket.
