ISRO is gearing up to launch an exclusive satellite for electronic intelligence named Emisat on April 1, 2019, via the refreshed PSLV C45 launch vehicle. The PSLV C45 flight will lift off at 9.30 AM on April 1 and will take nearly 180 minutes to complete.
The Emisat is oriented for the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). The PSLV-C35 will also carry 28 third-party satellites from the US, Lithuania, Switzerland, and Spain. There are 24 satellites form US and 2 from Lithuania. The ISRO will lift one satellite from Switzerland and Spain. The mini-satellites will measure 220 grams in weight.
The main highlight of the PSLV C45 launch is that ISRO will make use of three different orbits with a new PSLV launch vehicle. The Emisat will be the first to eject into the orbit with a weight of 436Kg into a 749 km orbit. The 28 other satellites will enter into the orbit after the successful ejection of Emisat at an altitude of 504 km.
🇮🇳 #ISROMissions 🇮🇳#PSLVC45 set to launch #EMISAT and 28 foreign satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on April 1, 2019, subject to weather conditions. Updates will continue. pic.twitter.com/xs5ZLT5Jt3
— ISRO (@isro) March 25, 2019
Commenting on the development, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan revealed that the PSLV C45 is a special mission from the Team ISRO. The vehicle will employ four strap-on motors and will be configured to eject at three different altitudes. If you are unaware, PSLV is a four-stage engine with solid and liquid fuel. The vehicle will have 6 strap-on-motors along with the first stage.
The PSLV C45 will bring down to 485 km immediately after the ejection of the fourth stage engine. The vehicle will carry three payloads such as AIS, APRS, and ARIS.
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is used for Maritime satellite applications, which captures messages transmitted from ships. The Automatic Packet Repeating System (APRS) is developed by Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation to enable amateur radio operators to keep track and monitor position data.
The Advanced Retarding Potential Analyser for Ionospheric Studies (ARIS) is designed and developed by the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). The main purpose of the ARIS is to study the structural and compositional parameters of ionosphere.
You can watch the live telecast of the PSLV C45 launch on April 1, 2019, starting 8.45 AM on DD National and other DD channels. The launch will be followed by a briefing by Chairman and other senior officials of Team ISRO. Moreover, you can also watch the live webcast on Twitter – @ISRO.