Sriharikota: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch its heaviest commercial mission PSLV-XL (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL variant) on Friday with five British satellites on board from the space port of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
The launch is scheduled to take place at 9.58 pm. The total weight of five British satellites is around 1,440kg, which is the heaviest commercial mission undertaken by ISRO and its commercial wing ANTRIX.
The 62.5 hour countdown for the launch began on Wednesday at 07.28 AM.
Earlier in March 2015, ISRO launched its first navigation satellite-IRNSS-1D. PSLV-XL will be the second launch by the space organisation.
Since 1999, ISRO has launched 40 satellites with its workhorse PSLV. But this is first one this year in terms of commercial launches.
This launch will take this tally to 45.The British satellites, three DMC3 and the CBNT-1 satellites are built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd while the De-OrbitSail is built by Surrey Space Centre.
These satellites can image any target on the Earth's surface every day. Major application areas include surveying the resources on earth and its environment, managing urban infrastructure and monitoring disasters.
(With ANI inputs)
