All you need to know about ISRO's Cartosat-2 Series Satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the Cartosat-2 series satellite carried by India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C38) at 9:30 am on Friday. Here's all you need to know about this momentous occasion:

Where: PSLV-C38 will be launched from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

PSLV-C38 at First Launch Pad. Picture Credit: ISRO

Mission's details: In its 40th flight, PSLV-C38 will launch the 712 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite for earth observation and 30 co-passenger satellites. Together this is about 243 kg at lift-off into a 505 km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

PSLV-C38. Picture credit: ISRO

The co-passenger satellites comprise 29 Nano satellites from 14 countries namely, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, United Kingdom, and United States of America as well as one Nano satellite from India.

PSLV-C38 heat shield closed with all 31 satellites. Picture Credit: ISRO

​The total weight of all these satellites carried on-board PSLV-C38 is about 955 kg.

Hoisting of PSLV-C38 second stage during vehicle integration. Picture credit: ISRO

 

The launch of international customer Nano satellites is a result of commercial arrangements between Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), a Government of India company under Department of Space (DOS) and the commercial arm of ISRO and the International customers. 

Fully integrated core stage along with strap-ons of PSLV-C38 inside the mobile service tower. Picture Credit: ISRO

The primary satellite being carried by PSLV-C38 is the Cartosat-2 series satellite, which is similar to the earlier five satellites stall it's series. After its launch into the SSO by PSLV-C38, the satellite will be brought to operational configuration, following which it will begin providing remote sensing services using its panchromatic and multispectral cameras. 

Cartosat-2 Series Satellite. Picture credit: ISRO