Isro’s PSLV-C38 places Cartosat and 30 nano satellites in orbit

India's 'eye in the sky' has become sharper and wider with the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully launching the third spacecraft in the Cartosat-2 series.

Isro's workhorse PSLV-C38 carrying the earth observation satellite and 30 smaller satellites lifted off from the Sriharikota space port in the morning today and placed all the 31 satellites in their respective orbits.

Weighing 712 kg, the latest of the Cartosat-2 series satellite has been specifically designed for the benefit of the defence forces.

The total weight of all the satellites carried on-board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is about 955 kg.

PSLV-C38,  in its 40th flight (PSLV-C38), was launched from the first launch pad (FLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the seventeenth flight of PSLV in 'XL' configuration (with the use of solid strap-on motors), an Isro releasesaid.

The co-passenger satellites included 29 Nano satellites from 14 countries, namely, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, United Kingdom and United States of America as well as one Nano satellite from India. The total weight of all these satellites carried on-board PSLV-C38 is about 955 kg.

The 29 International customer Nano satellites were launched as part of the commercial arrangements between Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), a Government of India company under Department of Space (DOS) and the commercial arm of Isro and the international customers.

The latest launch comes two weeks after the space agency successfully launched its heaviest satellite , GSAT-19, using its heaviest rocket the GSLV Mark III-D1.

Cartosat-2 is a remote sensing satellite that is similar in configuration to earlier satellites in the series with the objective of providing high-resolution scene specific spot imagery.