ISRO to launch defence satellite Emisat in March
Jack Feb 27, 2019 16:45 IST
On Wednesday, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Sivan said that the Bengaluru-based space agency is set to launch an electronic intelligence satellite Emisat for the DRDO in March.
He added that ISRO will also launch 28 third-party satellites and demonstrate its new technologies like three different orbits with a new variant of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket in March. However, He did not give a specific date.
"It is a special mission for us. We will be using a PSLV rocket with four strap-on motors. Further, for the first time we will be trying to orbit the rocket at three different altitudes", K. Sivan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.
"The main passenger for the PSLV rocket will be the defence intelligence satellite Emisat belonging to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The satellite weighs about 420 kg. The 28 satellites belonging to our customers would cumulatively weigh about 250 kg", Sivan said.
In January, the space agency launched a defence imaging satellite Microsat R for the DRDO.
Sivan said, after launching Emisat at an altitude of 763 km, the rocket will be brought down to put into orbit the 28 satellites at an altitude of 504 km.
"Following that the rocket will be brought down further to 485 km where the fourth stage will turn into a payload platform carrying three experimental payloads - one developed by the students of Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, besides ISRO’s own technology demonstrator and a Hamsat", Sivan said.
The PSLV is a four-stage engine expendable rocket with alternating solid and liquid fuel. In its normal configuration, the rocket will have six strap-on motors hugging the rocket’s first stage.
On January 24, the ISRO flew a PSLV with two strap-on motors. While in March, it will have four strap-on motors.
The ISRO will also be launching two more defence satellites sometime in July/August with its new rocket Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
ISRO to launch defence satellite Emisat in March
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