ISRO Cartosat-2 PSLV-C38 launch: India launches 31 satellites from Sriharikota

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch Cartosat-2 series satellite carried by India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C38) on Friday at 9:29 am from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The 28-hour countdown for the launch of PSLV-C38 began Thursday at 5:29 am. This comes days after the launch of most powerful indigenous rocket, GSLV Mk III, by ISRO on June 6.

Cartosat-2 series satellite weighs about 714 kg and is operated and maintained by ISRO. It is scheduled to be launched Friday along with 30 co-passenger satellites together weighing about 243 kg. This satellite is sixth in the catosat-2 series, named Cartosat- 2E. It will sling the satellites into a 505 km polar sun synchronous orbit (SSO).

Cartosat-2 Series Satellite mission is a follow on mission in the Cartosat-2 Series with the primary mission objective of providing high-resolution scene specific spot imagery. The Panchromatic camera which is loaded in will take pictures and videos, for help in both military and civil purposes.

The 30 mini satellites along with Cartosat 2 comprise 29 Nanosatellites from 14 countries – Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America besides a Nanosatellite from India. The 29 international customer nano-satellites are being launched as part of the commercial arrangements between ISRO’s commercial arm, the Antrix Corporation Ltd and the international customers.

A sum of Rs 160 crore has been allocated for the project. The first series of Cartosat-2 was launched by PSLV-C7 on 10 January 2007 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre’s FLP at Sriharikota. On 28 April 2008, Cartosat-2A was launched by PSLV-C9. It was dedicated to the Indian Armed Forces to establish an Aerospace Command. On 12 July 2010, satellite Cartosat 2B was launched by PSLV-C15 whereas, Cartosat 2C was taken off on June 22, 2016. Cartosat-2D was launched by PSLV-C37 on 15 February 2017.