ISRO using most powerful PSLV to launch GSAT-12

ISRO-Indian Space Research Organization is using the most powerful configuration of its rocket PSLV to launch a communication satellite GSAT-12 from Sriharikota on July 15^th 2011 costs nearly Rs 200 crore.

 It's only for the second time ever that a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is being used to loft a communication satellite, the first one being Kalpana-1 in 2002. Bangalore-headquartered ISRO opted for this step as there is a large unfulfilled and pressing demand for communication transponders.

Communication satellites are launched on board GSLV or ISRO goes in procured launches overseas.

ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said: "We wanted to create (transponder) capacity at the earliest. That's why we used the PSLV for the purpose (of launching a communication satellite), and achieve whatever is possible...best possible by a PSLV with XL configuration. That's the most powerful configuration,"

The GSAT-12 is a "fast-track" satellite with a mass of 1410 kg, has 12 Extended C-band transponders. It is slated to be injected into space by PSLV-C17 after the launch from Sriharikota spaceport slated between 16.48 hours and 17.08 hours on July 15. Similar PSLV, with extended strap-ons, was used for India's Chandrayaan-1 mission.

PSLV-C16 successfully launches 3 satellites

Congratulations …… ISRO 

ISRO proved its mettle again by successfully launching PSLV-C16 rocket on 20^th April 20, 2011 at 10.18 AM. PSLV-C16 successfully puts 3 satellites Remote sensing satellite Resourcesat-2 and two smaller satellites YOUTHSAT and X-SAT in their respective orbits. The entire launch was completed within the duration 18 minutes.   

This is 18^th successful rocket launch with PSLV. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is most reliable and cost effective launch vehicle in the world. PSLV is a synonym for success. 

PSLV is 44 metres tall with a lift off weight of 295 tonne and designed to launch 1600 kg satellites in 620 km sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1050 kg satellite into geo-synchronous transfer orbit. PSLV is one the most versatile vehicle for launching multiple satellites in polar SSOs, Low Earth Orbits and geosynchronous transfer orbit.  PSLV launch vehicle has 4 stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately.

I’m wishing all the iSRO scientists for the successful launch of PSLV-C16.

Jai Ho Bharat 

Jai ISRO……….Sky is the limit …….