Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its heaviest commercial mission at 9.45 pm (July 10′ 2015). PSLV-C28 carried five British satellites takes-off smoothly from Sriharikota. The ISRO’s PSLV-C28 conducted its thirtieth flight, deploying five British satellites into a Sun-Synchronous orbit. It is its highest commercial payload yet. Since 1999, ISRO has launched 40 satellites with its workhorse PSLV. But this is first one this year in terms of commercial launches.

Payload

• Three identical DMC3 satellites, built by Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) in the UK
• Technology demonstrator CBNT – 1
• Technology demonstrator De-OrbitSail

The total weight of the satellites and launch vehicle is 1,450kg. With the overall mass of five satellites is about 1,440kg, this launch becomes the “heaviest commercial mission” ever undertaken by ISRO and its commercial arm Antrix Corporation.

These satellites can image any target on the Earth’s surface every day. Major application areas include surveying the resources on earth and its environment, managing urban infrastructure and monitoring disasters.

The earlier successful launches by ISRO — Mars Orbiter Mission which was launched in November 5, 2013 and the Chandrayaan-1 launched in October 22, 2008 were with similar PSLV-XL variants.

PSLV

• The rocket made its maiden flight of 20 September 1993, attempting to deliver the IRS-1E remote sensing satellite into orbit; however the rocket was destroyed by range safety during its ascent after a malfunction was detected. A second launch, in October 1994, marked the rocket’s first success.
• The PSLV returned to flight in 1999 with the launch of OceanSat-1, and since then all of its launches have been successful.
• India’s next launch is scheduled to take place in August, with a GSLV deploying the GSAT-6 military communications satellite.
• The PSLV will next be in action in September with the AstroSat-1 astronomy spacecraft.