ISRO successfully injects Cartosat-3 spacecraft, 13 other satellites into respective orbits

The 13 other satellites were also successfully placed in their designated orbits. `PSLV-C47 successfully injects Cartosat-3 spacecraft into orbit. 13 commercial satellites from USA successfully placed in their designated orbits,` tweeted ISRO.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47, on Wednesday successfully injected Cartosat-3 spacecraft into orbit after its launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, said the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The launch took place at 9.28 am.

13 other satellites were also successfully placed in their designated orbits. "PSLV-C47 successfully injects Cartosat-3 spacecraft into orbit. 13 commercial satellites from the USA successfully placed in their designated orbits," tweeted ISRO.

After the successful launch, ISRO chief Dr K Sivan expressed his happiness. He said, "I am happy that PSLV-C47 injected precisely in the orbit with 13 other satellites. Cartosat-3 is highest resolution civilian satellite; We have 13 missions up to March- 6 large vehicle missions and 7 satellite missions."

Congratulating the ISRO team, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the space agency has once again made the nation proud.

"I congratulate the ISRO team on yet another successful launch of PSLV-C47 carrying indigenous Cartosat-3 satellite and over a dozen nanosatellites of USA. The advanced Cartosat-3 will augment our high-resolution imaging capability. ISRO has once again made the nation proud," said the PM.

About 17 minutes and 38 seconds after lift-off, Cartosat-3 was injected into an orbit of 509 km at an inclination of 97.5 degrees to the equator.

The PSLV-C47 launched Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites into the Sun-synchronous orbit. Cartosat-3 satellite is a third-generation agile advanced satellite having high-resolution imaging capability. The 13 nanosatellites are from the United States (US) as part of a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Department of Space.

The ISRO had on November 25 posted pictures on Twitter of PSLV-C47 mapping its journey from the vehicle assembly building towards the launch pad. "Journey of PSLV-C47 from Vehicle Assembly Building towards the launch pad. Launch scheduled on Nov 27, 2019," ISRO had tweeted.

On November 21, ISRO had informed that the launch of PSLV-C47 carrying Cartosat-3, which was scheduled for November 25 at 9.28 am, was tentatively rescheduled for November 27.

ISRO had opened the online registration for witnessing the launch of PSLV-C47/CARTOSAT-3 from the launch view gallery at the space centre on November 20.

PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV in 'XL' configuration (with 6 solid strap-on motors). ISRO has said, this would be the 74th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.