Successful launch of Oceansat 2
On 23, September 2009, The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully placed in orbit seven satellites including Oceansat-2 within a span of 20 minutes.
Some facts:
- The 44.4 meter tall four-stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C14 blasted off from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
- Oceansat-2 is India’s 16th remote sensing satellite, will identify potential fishing zones, sea state forecasting and coastal zone studies, besides providing inputs on weather forecasting and climate studies.
- It carried 6 nano satellites on its trip to orbit. (Total 7 inclusing Oceansat 2)
About PSLV:
- The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle was developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into sun synchronous orbits, a service that was, until the advent of the PSLV, commercially viable only from Russia.
- PSLV can also launch small size satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
- In April 2008, it successfully launched 10 satellites in one go, breaking a world record held by Russia.
- The PSLV is capable of launching 1,600 kg satellites in 620 km sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1,050 kg satellite in geo-synchronous transfer orbit.
- According to ISRO, the reliability of PSLV, their premier launch vehicle, has been excellent.
- ISRO has done 16 flights with the PSLV, of which 15 have been successful.
Click Here to Read : Some Important launches of PSLV
