ISRO
A PSLV rocket lifting off Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites from Sriharikota, India. Credit: ISRO.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched two satellites, Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The launch was conducted by ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket, representing the 46th flight of the launch vehicle. It also marks the first mission launch of PSLV-DL, a new variant of PSLV with two connecting motors.

Approximately 13 minutes 26 seconds after the launch, Microsat-R was injected into its planned orbit of 274km.

ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bengaluru, India, has assumed control of the satellite, which automatically deployed its two solar arrays.

Following deployment of Microsat-R, PSLV’s fourth stage (PS4) was restarted twice to move itself to a higher circular orbit of 453km, establishing an orbital platform for carrying out experiments.

Microsat-R is designed for use by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for military purposes, reported economictimes.indiatimes.com.

“We want students to bring their satellites to us and we will launch them.”

The newly launched Kalamsat-V2 satellite, which was developed by a team of students from Chennai-based organisation Space Kidz India, was placed into its designated orbit around one hour and 40 minutes after lift-off.

The satellite is the first probe to use PS4 as an orbital platform.

ISRO chairman Dr K Sivan said: “We must strive for science-oriented India.

“ISRO is open to all students across India. We want students to bring their satellites to us and we will launch them. Young scientists will shape the future of India.”

ISRO also launched the Samwad with Students (SwS) initiative to infuse scientific temper among young people.