ISRO launches PSLV-C50 carrying India's 42nd communication satellite from Sriharikota

Indian Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully launched communication satellite CMS-01 onboard PSLV-C50 at 3:41 pm from Satish Dhawan Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota on Thursday. Marking ISRO's second launch during COVID-19 pandemic, PSLV will put in orbit India's 42nd communications satellite which is expected to provide cover over entire country in cases of disaster manment and satellite internet connection. new CMS-01 satellite will replace current GSAT-12 in orbit, which was launched in 2011. 

Fourth st rmal so far

mission on Thursday follows successful launch of PSLV-C49 (EOS-01) earth observation satellite and nine customer craft on vember 7 which was ISRO's first mission of year amid COVID-19 pandemic. After INSAT and GSAT series, satellite launched on Thursday will be first in new CMS series of communication satellites. As per latest update, fourth st of satellite has been rmal with PS4 engine commencing operation. 

READ | ISRO Chief Inaugurates Situational Awareness Control Centre To Protect Assets

ISRO chief addresses team

Addressing team at Sriharikota post launch of PSLV, ISRO chief K Sivan congratulated team for successful launch and lauded officials involved. Updating team of ISRO's upcoming missions, Sivan exuded confidence in organization to 'rise to occasion' and successfully accomplish targets.

"At same time, we have a lot of work at hand to do. re are activities like Chandrayaan 3, Aditya 1 and Gaganyaan - it is going on. We are here to complete missions at earliest. Along with that, we have that much-awaited mission GSLV and SLV like series of missions on hand. I am sure that ISRO, rise to occasion and will do needful to meet demands of our Indian Government," Sivan said.

"PSLV-C50 successfully injected CMS01 communication satellite precisely in predefined orbit. Satellite is functioning very well & will be placed in a specified slot in ar 4 days. Teams worked very well & safely under COVID-19 pandemic situation," he added. 

On vember 7 this year, PSLV in its 51st flight successfully launched EOS-01 along with nine international customer satellites from Satish Dhawan Centre (SDSC) from Sriharikota. PSLV-C49 lifted-off at 1511 Hrs (IST) from First Launch Pad of SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. After 15 minutes and 20 seconds, EOS-01 was successfully injected into its orbit. Subsequently, nine commercial satellites were injected into ir intended orbits.

READ | HAL Delivers Biggest Ever Cryogenic Propellant Tank To ISRO

EOS-01 is an earth observation satellite, intended for applications in agriculture, forestry and disaster manment support. nine customer satellites from Lithuania (1), Luxembourg (4) and USA (4) were launched under a commercial arrangement with New India Limited (NSIL).

READ | IITs, IIMs, ISRO Result Of Nehru's Vision: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

Prior to that, ISRO had launched India’s telecommunication satellite GSAT-30 on January 17, 2020 from Kourou launch base, French Guiana by Ariane-5 VA-251. Weighing 3357 kg, GSAT-30 was launched as a replacement to INSAT-4A craft services with enhanced cover. satellite provides Indian mainland and islands cover in Ku-band and extended cover in C-band covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia.

READ | Facebook India Head Tells Tharoor-led Panel re's Need To Ban Bajrang Dal Content