India Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C23 on Monday, 30 June at 9:52 am, three minute later than scheduled, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) - SHAR, Sriharikota.
PSLV-C23 carries French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7 as its chief payload. The 714 kg SPOT-7 is accompanied by NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada each weighing 15 kg, a 14 kg AISAT of Germany and a 7 kg VELOX-1 of Singapore. All the five satellites are integrated with PSLV-C23.
The launch was originally scheduled for 9.49 am but was postponed to 9.52 am after probable space debris was located in the orbit.
Watch the telecast of the PSLV-C23 launch here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the launch of the French satellite, SPOT-7 and the co-passenger spaceship from Germany, Canada and Singapore at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, off Andhra coast. So far, ISRO has launched 35 international satellites in the PSLV.
Before the launch, propellant-filling operations of the liquid propellant second stage (PS2) and fourth stage (PS4) of the launch vehicle was carried out, according to MF Monitor.
Mandatory checks on the vehicle and spacecraft were conducted including pressurization of propellant tanks and charging of batteries. Various ground systems such as tracking radar systems and communication networks were also checked before the launch.
PSLV, the first operational launch vehicle of ISRO, is one of the world's largest solid propellant boosters and carries 139 tonnes of propellant. A group of six strap-ons are attached to the motor of the vehicle, four of which are ignited on the ground and two are air-lit.
Till April 2014, PSLV has made 25 continuously successful flights. With its variant configurations, PSLV has successfully managed its multi-payload and multi-mission capability in a single launch and its geosynchronous launch ability.
