COMMUNICATION SATELLITE LAUNCHED

Given ISRO’s track record so far, the nation would have a high degree of confidence in the organisation and its ability to achieve goals set for itself

- AIR MARSHAL B.K. PANDEY (RETD)

IN THE AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 17 THIS YEAR, THE INDIAN Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-50 carrying its 42nd communication satellite designated as CMS-01. This mission had been scheduled for December 7 this year, exactly a month after the successful launch of the PSLV C-49 that carried ISRO’s all-weather Earth Observation Satellite along with nine other satellites belonging to other nations. However, on account of the prevailing adverse weather conditions, the launch was postponed by ten days.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-50 in its XL configuration with six solid strap-on motors carrying the communication satellite, lifted off from the Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota. This was the 52nd flight of the PSLV, a highly successful workhorse designed and developed by ISRO and was the 77th launch vehicle mission from this location in Sriharikota.

The CMS-01 communication satellite will be the first in a new series of communication satellites designed and developed by ISRO after the INSAT and the GSAT series. The satellite that has an estimated mission life of over seven years, was launched to replace the GSAT-12 communication satellite that was launched and inserted into orbit by ISRO in 2011. The GSAT-12 has been in orbit for nine years and has already reached the end of its useful life.