Chennai: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Thursday launched the Communication Satellite (CMS-01) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. This launch was done by PSLV-C50 rocket at 3.41 pm. This is just the second launch of a satellite in the Corona era.
CMS-01 is the 42nd communication satellite of India. It will cover Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep in addition to the land areas of India. This is also the last mission of ISRO this year. This satellite will operate for seven years. This is the 22nd flight of PSLV in the 44 meter high four-stage PSLV-C50 ‘XL’ configuration. The PSLV is a four stage / engine rocket in the normal configuration. The selection of a rocket used for a mission depends on the weight of the satellite and the orbit where the satellite is to be circled.
PSLV-C50 will eject the satellite after 20 minutes of launching. CMS-01 would replace GSAT-12 in Orbit. The 1,410 kg GSAT-12 was launched on 11 July 2011. Its lifespan was eight years.
Earlier, ISRO launched Earth Observation Satellite-1 (EOS-1) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center. It is a radar imaging satellite. Along with the country’s EOS-1, 9 foreign satellites were also sent via PSLV-C49 rocket.