ISRO puts Emisat, 28 foreign satellites into orbit

Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday put Emisat -- an electronic intelligence satellite for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) -- and 28 other foreign satellites into orbit in a copybook style. With Monday's launch, India has successfully put into orbit 297 foreign satellites to date.

So far, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket has put into orbit nation's 46 satellites, including 10 satellites built by students from Indian universities.

Notable aspects of this space mission are the flying of a new variant of PSLV, switching off and on the fourth stage engine couple of times and the use of the fourth stage as an orbital platform carrying three experimental payloads.

After the successful launch, space agency's chairman K Sivan said: "Today the PSLV has successfully injected the ISRO-made Emisat satellite into its intended orbit and 28 customer satellites at a 504-km altitude.

"The mission is special for the ISRO on many counts as it was the first time a PSLV rocket was launched with four strap-on motors; the mission has three different orbits for the very first time; the fourth stage was made an orbital platform for experiments; and there was also a new team for the PSLV."

Sivan said the industry contributed a lot for the building of the rocket and satellite. "Ninety-five per cent of the rocket hardware and 60-65 per cent of satellite components were fabricated by the industry," he said.

At 9.27 am, the PSLV rocket standing at 44.5 metres tall and weighing 239 tonne with a one-way ticket, hurtled itself towards the skies. With the fierce orange flame at its tail lighting, the rocket slowly gathered speed and went up.

Heeding to the demand of the public to view the rocket launch, Sivan said that a viewers' gallery was built and 1,200 people enjoyed spectacle. He said for the next mission about 5,000 people will be allowed to witness the launch.

As regards future missions, Sivan said the next PSLV rocket will carry RISAT and it will be followed by another PSLV launch carrying Cartosat-3 satellite. India will also launch two more defence satellites sometime in July or August with its new rocket Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).