19th consecutive successful flight of the launch vehicle
India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C18) demonstrated its reliability and consistency yet again when it put four satellites in orbit with aplomb on Wednesday.
The satellites were: Megha-Tropiques, an Indo-French mission to study the weather and climate in the tropical regions of the world; SRMSat, built by students of SRM University, near Chennai; Jugnu, put together by Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur students; and VesselSat from Luxembourg.
The fourth stage fired the four in orbit after 21 minutes of a flawless flight, the 19th consecutive success of the PSLV, prompting P.S. Veeraraghavan, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, to brand it a “Perfect Satellite LaunchVehicle.”
K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) called the flight “a grand success” and said the information received from the Megha-Tropiques satellite would be useful to the global community for measuring the precipitation in the tropical regions of the world. Twenty-one scientific teams from several countries would use the information for doing research on weather in the tropical countries.
S. Ramakrishnan, Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, ISRO, describing it as “a magnificent mission,” said: “Today, with the PSLV, we have an assured access to space. This is something that not many countries can boast of.”
There were patches of clouds above the spaceport as the PSLV-C18 soared from the seaside first launch pad at 11.01 a.m., after a delay of one minute. “We shifted the launch by a minute,” Dr. Radhakrishnan explained, to preclude the “probability of space debris,” smashing into the satellites.
T.K. Alex, Director, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, said space debris travelled at a velocity of eight km a second and so the ISRO did not want to take any chances.
The vehicle lifting majestically quickly disappeared into a bank of clouds. As it knifed out, it looked spectacular, riding on bright yellow flames and climbing nonchalantly into the sky. Clouds blanketed it again but it emerged, gathering velocity. The engines worked with clock-work precision, erupting into life on the dot and jettisoning into the Bay of Bengal after spending themselves out.
After the third stage burn-out, the fourth stage coasted on its own, without any power, that is, without firing. The vehicle was gaining altitude all the time Then, the two engines in the fourth stage started up, and 21 minutes after lift-off, the four satellites were shot into orbit one after the other, at a velocity of 26,000 km an hour.
Megha-Tropiques went into orbit at an altitude of 865 km against the targeted 867 km.
I m very much lucky that i have born in india where such type of talents is existing.PROUD TO BE AN
INDIA.within few years india in going on top regarding scientific research that i have seen in my dream.GO AHEAD .
wonderful moment for our country india.i congratulates all the persons do this work for a long time i promise one day i will also be apart of one
Dear R Kit Kittappa: The informatioin/knowledge that man kind has about creator, universe/ birth of stars as on today is like tip of an iceberg. We do not have much knowledge about MARS, JUPITIR and other planets of our solar system including SUN. Our solar system when compared to universe is like a droplet in a pond and we can imagime the magnanomity of universe and the CREATOR. Great scholars, Saints, Prophets, God's representatives (Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohd., MANY HINDU SAINTS) have named the creator as YEHOVAH, ALLAH, ESWAR and different names. Yet the mystery of creator & creation still is not known to us. Space scientist also take the blessing of CREATOR through GOD of their faith (Ex: LORD VENKATESWARA) who is believed to control the universe in "LAYA" i.e in a proper sequence. What ever be the name we call, our ultimate prayers are towards CREATOR only. Because MAN KIND is so small fraction in the universe that we are not worth giving a name to the CREATOR.
@A R Ezilarasi : It was started by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Not Abdul kalam.
Its a proof that we are having great potential among our technical graduates , if the Govt. starts funding and felicitating them then INDIA wont have to out source any kind of technology (specially in the area of defense)form any foreign country.
Congratulations to all the scientists involved in the launch of the satellites and involved in the projects to be carried out using them. I understand that some top people involved in the launch took a model of the rocket to a temple and carried out a "pooja" (worship). The rational scientists among those who worked on the project (including the French collaborators) would have found it amusing and, at the same time, sad that people can have irrational superstitions, inspite of their education.
Very big achievement for India, well done ISRO we taking steps further for exploring space. keep it up you make us feel proud.
congratulation to ISRO. PSLV is the most reliable rocket in the world. Now, ISRO should try to launch GSLV with indigenous cryogenic engine for heavy satellite.
19 out of 20 successful missions - what a great achievement ! I'm happy that India is continuing in its strive to use our space technology to make lives of people on earth better instead of being a part of the rat race of sending man on moon or Mars. Hats-off to all our scientists and thank you !!!
it is very useful for us.Be proud to be an Indian.
About Pslv C18 ISRO team done a fentastic Job to Increase the power of india in the world
It's a great achievement to india and a morale boost experience to Indian space scientists to explore more technologies into the service of nation and making india a self sustained country in world.
Great!! Kudos to our scientists AND their parents for allowing the GREAT scientists to persue career in ISRO.Many of us, want our children to excel in studies and competitive exams with one aim i.e earning more money, preferably abroad. Only when the cream of our educational talent is directed towards R&D, Space programmes, Genetics by providing incentives from Govt. & a little bit of sacrifice by parents, only then INDIA will be able to catch up with CHINA & other super powers in space technology.
Wish ISRO every succees in GSLV launch, that is eluding for a very long time. Without GSLV, we had to use PSLV to launch Geostationery satellite of small pay load AND using valuable fuel of satellite to propel it to stationery orbit.CHINA, though started space programme like INDIA, is capable of sending 6 Ton satellite to geo stationery orbit & SPACE LAB to low earth orbit.
WE CAN NOT BLAME ANY INDIVIDUAL BUT ONLY OUR SELVES FOR NOT DOING OUR BIT OF DUTY FOR MOTHER LAND.
Really it is a historical movement for India. We are feeling proud for having such a people with us.
ISRO Team, Thumbs up for your dedication and hard work. Keep the national flag flying high.
It is a great achievement for ISRO
It is really a fantastic achievement,which was started by Dr Abdul Kalam They all covers weather forecasting, pollution control ,vegetation and ship location etc. You all people done a very good job sirs.
Please Email the Editor