ISRO to launch PSLV-C45 on April 1, all you need to know

ISRO will launch the PSLV-C45 on April 1, putting 30 satellites, including one for electronic intelligence, in three different orbits. Till now, ISRO has been either two strap-on or six strap-on configurations for the mission or it was without strap-on. Earlier, the launch was scheduled on March 21. The delay was based on internal system readiness and other technical factors. “This PSLV-C45 is the first three-orbit mission of ISRO and the first to use solar panel in rocket fourth stage (PS4). Aim is to ensure system readiness for a perfect launch, so the delay. Now the launch is set for April 1,” TOI quoted K Sivan said. Second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 on board GSLV-MK III rocket is planned for launch by April end, he said.

The PSLV C45 rocket will carry primary payloads like EMISAT and bluewalker1 and secondary payloads like M6P, Lemur-2 X1 to Lemur-2 X4 out of a total of thirty satellites. The PSLV C-45 rocket had four stages; each one was self-contained, with its own propulsion system, thereby capable of functioning independently. The first and third stages used composite solid propellants, while the third stage used earth-storable liquid propellant and fourth one fitted with Solar Panels.

ISRO is planning to launch India's second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 by April end. ISRO is launching Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), which is scheduled to launch two 'strategic purpose' satellites in July-August this year.

"SSLV is a small satellite launcher. The first launch will take place in July-August where two small satellites will be launched. They are for a strategic purpose and will be used for monitoring and mapping," he said.

"Very soon we are going to make PSLVs from industry for which L and T and HAL have formed a consortium. Along with that small satellite launch vehicles will also be made by the industry," Sivan added.

On February, 19 the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given its approval to the setting up of a new company under Department of Space (DoS) to commercially exploit the research and development work carried out by ISRO.