ISRO to launch PSLV-C42 carrying two UK satellites from Sriharikota. LIVE UPDATES and stream here

WATCH THE LAUNCH LIVE HERE

10:32 PM: PSLVC42 launches NovaSAR and S1-4 satellites successfully.

10:09 PM: PSLVC42 lifts off from First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota carrying NovaSAR and S1-4 satellites.

9:56 PM: Automatic launch sequence is on now ahead of #PSLVC42 launch (10:08 pm) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

9:07 PM: PSLVC42 is ready for take-off in 60-minutes from now carrying NovaSAR & S1-4 satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation is all set to launch a PSLV (polar satellite launch vehicle) on Sunday, September 16, 2018, that will carry two satellites to space. The space vehicle, PSLV-C42, will be launched from the First Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. However, there will be no Indian satellite in the spacecraft, rather two UK satellites, NovaSAR and S1-4, will be launched in the project. This will be the first fully commercial trip of ISRO after a break of 5 months. 

The satellites, NovaSAR and S1-4, are high-resolution Optical Earth Observation Satellites. NovaSAR, which is an S-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite is designed to map the forest and monitor land usage. It also monitors ice cover and disasters like flooding.

S1-4, which is also an earth observatory satellite will be used for surveying resources. It is capable of monitoring the environment and contributes to urban management. However, it can also serve as a disasters monitor. The satellites together weigh around 889 kg which is the optimum payload that a core-alone PSLV can launch. 

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The satellites are owned by M/s Surrey Satellite Technologies Limited (SSTL), in the United Kingdom under a commercial arrangement with Antrix Corporation Limited, Department of Space. Reportedly, the 33-hour countdown for the launch began at 1.08 p.m. on Saturday, September 15, and the final launch of the PSLV-C42 is scheduled at 10.08 p.m. on Sunday, September 16. Both the satellites are to be launched in a Sun Synchronous Orbit which means that it will record a pole to pole movement. It will cover a distance of 583 km as they revolve around the Earth. The entire flight up to the release of the satellites is designed to happen within 17.5 minutes. The satellite launch will be broadcasted live at <>http://www.isro.gov.in/. 

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The Indian Space Research Organisation had not taken up any launch project since April 12 following the replacement of navigation satellite IRNSS-1I that was put in space on PSLV-C41. Later, ISRO recalled its GSAT-11 from the South American launch port of Kourou, weeks before it was scheduled to launch. As per reports, this will be ISRO's 44th PSLV and will mark the 12th core-alone flight.