With PSLV-C52, ISRO will launch its first mission of 2022 on February 14th

The first launch mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation in 2022 is scheduled for February 14, with PSLV-C52 orbiting an earth observation satellite (EOS-04).

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C52) is set to launch at 05:59 a.m. on Monday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre's First Launch Pad in Sriharikota, according to the Bengaluru-based space agency.

According to ISRO, PSLV-C52 is designed to place the EOS-04, which weighs 1710 kg, into a 529 km sun synchronous polar orbit.

Two tiny satellites will be co-passengers on the PSLV-C52 mission.

They are a student satellite (INSPIREsat-1) developed by the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder's Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics, and a technology demonstrator satellite (INS-2TD) developed by ISRO as a precursor to the India-Bhutan Joint Satellite (INS-2B).

EOS-04 is a Radar Imaging Satellite that provides high-quality photos in all weather circumstances for applications like agriculture, forestry, and plantations, soil moisture and hydrology, and flood mapping.

"The countdown process of 25 hours and 30 minutes leading to the launch would commence at 04:29 hours on February 13, 2022 after authorisation by the Launch Authorization Board," the ISRO said.

Meanwhile, ISRO said that INSAT-4B has completed post-mission disposal (PMD) and will be decommissioned on January 24, 2022, in accordance with UN and Inter Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee space debris reduction rules.

The required propellant for such re-orbiting was included in the initial fuel budget as part of ISRO's GEO mission planning, making INSAT-4B the 21st Indian GEO satellite to undergo post-mission disposal.

"The finally achieved orbit is about 340 km above GEO altitude in perfect compliance with IADC guidelines for space debris mitigation of GEO objects", ISRO said.

ISRO's effective post-mission disposal of INSAT-4B, achieved via rigorous preparation and flawless execution, is yet another effort to safeguard the safety and long-term viability of space operations, according to the space agency.