ISRO to hit a century with PSLV-C21 launch

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to cross yet another milestone in space technology with the launching of the 720 kg SPOT-6, an advanced French remote- sensing satellite and Proiteres, a 15 kg Japanese spacecraft through the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle- C21 (PSLV-C21), from the Satish Dhavan Space Centre(SDSC), Sriharikota, 90 km from here on September 9.

This is the 100th mission of ISRO, which has hitherto undertaken 99 missions and include launch of 62 satellites and 37 launch vehicles. Also to its credit is the unmanned mission Chandrayan- 1, since its first mission Aryabhatta in 1975.

A host of dignitaries including prime minister Manmohan Singh, Andhra Pradesh governor ESL Narasimhan, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, wellknown scientists across the world and others will be descending on Sriharikota to witness the historic experiment.

A 44.4 metre high and 295 tonne weight rocket will lift the 720 kg SPOT-6, an advanced French remote-sensing satellite built by ASTRIUM SAS and Proiteres, a 15-kg Japanese spacecraft. According to SHAR sources the launch is slated at 9.49 am on September 9.

The launch will take place from the second launch pad. If the climate is favourable, PSLV-C21 will be sent into the orbit as per schedule, an ISRO official said.

With a mechanism constituting four stages, the launch vehicle uses solid and liquid propulsion system alternately. The first stage is powered by one of the largest solid propellant boosters in the world, it carries 139 tonne weighed propellant.

A cluster of six strap-ons are attached to the first-stage motor, four of which are to be ignited on the ground and two in the air.

The objective of the ISRO mission is to develop space technology and use it for various national tasks. PSLV-C21 will be an important mission in the annals of the Indian space programme and to prove once again India’s self sufficiency in space research.

The 100th PSLVC21 will give a great boost to the scientists at ISRO, an official added.

According to the sources ISRO chairman Radhakrishnan is likely to visit SHAR to inspect the final preparation for the launch of PSLV-C21 and will hold a high-level meeting with scientists with regards to the mission.