Rocket places India's 42nd communications satellite CMS-01 into orbit

Feat achieved 20 minutes after lift-off; satellite will provide services in extended C-band spectrum

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro)'s PSLV-C50 lifted off from the Sriharikota spaceport near Chennai, and successfully placed India's 42nd communications satellite CMS-01 (formerly GSAT-12R) into orbit 20 minutes after lift-off.

The rocket lifted at 3:41 p.m. from the second launch pad at the rocket port in Sriharikota, in Andhra Pradesh. After about 20 minutes into its flight, it ejected CMS-01 into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) and from there, the satellite will be taken up and positioned in the geosynchronous stationary orbit.

The 44-metre-high four-staged engine, PSLV-C50, is the 22nd flight of PSLV in 'XL' configuration (with six strap-on motors hugging the first stage). It will be the 52nd mission for India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

The PSLV in normal configuration is a four-stage expandable rocket powered by solid and liquid fuels alternatively, with six booster motors strapped on to the first stage to give higher thrust during the initial flight moments.

Isro has PSLV variants with two and four strap-on motors, larger PSLV-XL and the Core Alone variant, without any strap-on motors.The choice of rocket to be used for a mission depends on the satellite's weight and the orbit in which it is to be positioned.

CMS-01 is a communication satellite designed to provide services in Extended-C Band of the frequency spectrum, which will include the Indian mainland, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.

It is India's 42nd communication satellite and will have a mission life of seven years.

The CMS-01 will be a replacement for GSAT-12, which weighed 1,410 kg and was launched on July 11, 2011, with a mission life of eight years.

 

K Sivan, Chairman, Isro said: “In four days' time the satellite will be taken to its intended geosynchronous orbit. The satellite’s solar panel has been deployed.”

He said the next rocket that would fly in February-March 2021 will be PSLV-C51, which will be a special one for Isro and for the country.

Sivan said the rocket will be carrying India’s first earth observation satellite from a start-up called Pixxel. It will also carry communication satellites built by students part of SpaceKidz team and another satellite built by a consortium of three Indian universities.

The primary payload for PSLV-C51 rocket will be a Brazilian satellite weighing between 600-700kg.

Sivan added that Team Isro has a busy schedule ahead with the launch of Aditya satellite, Gaganyaaan-India’s human space mission, realisation of small rocket Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

Other Indian satellites ready for launch are GISAT and Microsat-2A. The launch of the GISAT-1 satellite slated for March 5 this year was postponed due to technical reasons a day before the launch. The GISAT-1 satellite will be carried by a GSLV rocket. 

The GSLV rocket was dismantled after the launch was called off, and is being refurbished. The rocket's cryogenic engine has been brought down and it is being readied again.

The GSLV carrying GISAT-1 is expected to fly after PSLV C50.