ISRO's first mission of 2019 to put imaging satellite Microsat-R with student-built payload 'Kalamsat' in space: LIVE UPDATES

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its 46th flight of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) just right before midnight on Thursday, to put the imaging satellite Microsat-R, and communication satellite Kalamsat, developed by students, into space from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The launch at 11:37 pm is said to be unique as PSLV-C44 fourth stage will be re-used automatically to launch Kalamsat payload and Microsat-R satellite into space from the First Launch Pad (FLP). PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle with alternating solid and liquid stages.

The PSLV with two strap-on configuration has been identified for this mission and the configuration is designated as PSLV-DL. PSLV-C44 is the first mission of PSLV-DL and is a new variant of PSLV.

In PSLV-C44, the fourth stage (PS4) of the vehicle will be moved to a higher circular orbit so as to establish an orbital platform for carrying out experiments. 

Kalamsat, a student payload, will be the first to use PS4 as an orbital platform. PSLV-C44 will also carry Microsat-R, an imaging satellite. Kamalsat is the world's lightest satellite made by the Indian students.

Earlier, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan said India's second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, which was scheduled to be launched in late 2018, is now expected to be launched between March 25 and end of April this year.

READ: ISRO Says, 'India Nowhere Less Than China In The Arena Of Space'

Meanwhile, Indian Space Research Organisation has planned 32 missions, including the "most complex" Chandrayaan-2 during 2019. 

"The year 2019 promises to be much more challenging to the ISRO community with 32 planned missions (14 launch vehicles, 17 satellites and 1 Tech demo missions)," ISRO Chairman K Sivan said in a New Year message.

READ: 32 Missions, Including Chandrayaan-2, Planned For 2019: ISRO

(With agency inputs)