ISRO launches 31 satellites into space onboard PSLV-C43

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched 31 satellites in a mission conducted by the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The mission was carried out by ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C43) rocket.

It marks the 45th flight of PSLV and the 13th mission that saw the use of the PSLV in its Core Alone configuration.

Around 17 minutes and 19 seconds after the launch, PSLV-C43 placed India’s Hyper-Spectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit situated at an altitude of 645km.

After separation from the rocket, HysIS automatically deployed its two solar arrays, and ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network at Bengaluru assumed control of the satellite.

HysIS is expected to undergo its final operational configuration over the next few days.

Following the injection of HysIS, PSLV-C43 had placed the remaining foreign satellites into their planned orbit within one hour and 49 minutes after lift-off.

The satellites included one micro-satellites and 29 nano-satellites supplied by eight countries, including Australia, Spain and the US.

Weighing a total of 261.50kg, the satellites were launched as part of commercial arrangements between ISRO’s commercial division Antrix and the customers.

ISRO chairman Dr K Sivan said: “We are ready for the next launch of GSAT-11 on 5 December from French Guiana and later GSLV-MkII will launch GSAT-7A from Sriharikota in December.”

Development of ISRO’s HysIS satellite is based on the agency’s 380kg Mini Satellite-2 (IMS-2) bus.

With a five-year mission life, HysIS will primarily study the Earth’s surface in both the visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The data transmitted by the satellite will be used in multiple applications such as agriculture, forestry, soil/geological environments, coastal zones and inland waters.