Hyderabad: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle placed eight satellites in multiple orbits in its first-ever multi-orbit mission on Monday.
Isro used “multiple burn technology” it developed, to position the satellites in different orbits. This involves switching off and turning on the rocket engine in space.
The success of this complex mission could encourage more foreign customers to approach Isro which has placed 79 satellites for global customers so far. Isro chairman A.S. Kirankumar called it a landmark day and the launch, a most satisfying mission.
The 44.4-metre 320-tonne rocket roared into the skies at 9.12 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, at SHAR, Sriharikota. It reached its intended slot in 16 minutes 56 seconds and placed the Scatsat-1 in orbit. The two solar arrays of the satellite deployed and its control passed on to Isro’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network in Bengaluru.
The satellite will be brought to its final operational configuration in a few days, following which it will begin to provide weather related services. The fourth stage of the rocket coasted over the South Pole and then started ascending towards the northern hemisphere.
At 1 hour 22 minutes and 38 seconds after lift-off, over the North Pole, the two rocket engines were re-ignited and fired for 20 seconds. This put the rocket in an elliptical orbit measuring 725 km on one side of the Earth and 670 km on the other.
Fifty minutes later, the rocked was over the South Pole when its engines were fired for another 20 seconds. This put the rocket in a circular orbit, 669 km above the earth.
Another 37 seconds later, the dual launch adapter was successfully separated from the PSLV-C35. Half a minute later, the seven satellites were ejected into space.
