CHENNAI: After the lull of over four months due to the failure of the PSLV-C39 rocket, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is now ready with the upgraded version of the PSLV rocket to launch 31 satellites, including the Cartosat-2 series satellite, at one go on Friday at 9.29 am from Sriharikota.
The 28-hour countdown for the PSLV-C40 launch mission has begun on Thursday morning at 5.29 am. “The countdown operations for the launch are progressing normally,” Isro officials said.
Following the surprising failure of PSLV rocket in two decades on August 31 last year, Isro has appointed a committee headed by K.Sivan, director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre to ascertain the reasons for the failure of the mission.”We have identified that vertical jettisoning system did not function in the fourth stage as the pressure did not build at the cavity for the separation. After rectifying the issue we have conducted simulation tests on the upgraded vehicle. Now we are back in the game”, Isro officials told Deccan Chronicle.
The heat shield in the PSLV-C39 rocket did not separate from the fourth stage and both the stage and the IRNSS-1H satellite caught in the heat shield. The success of the PSLV-C40 vehicle is critical as Isro which is planning to carry out 10 to 12 missions this year.
