New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s workhorse rocket PSLV-C48 blasted off from the spaceport in Sriharikota on Wednesday, carrying India’s radar imaging earth observation satellite RISAT-2BR1 and nine foreign satellites.
With clear skies in the background, the 44.4 metre tall rocket lifted off majestically at 3.25 pm from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 130 km from Chennai. The PSLV-C48 successfully injected the primary satellite RISAT- 2BR1 into the intended orbit, said ISRO.
Incidentally, the launch marks a significant milestone for the space agency as it is the 50th flight of PSLV and the 75th vehicle mission from Sriharikota.
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The 628 kg satellite is meant for applications in various fields like agriculture, forestry and disaster management support. It would also serve military purposes, ISRO sources said. It will carry nine customer satellites, including one each from Israel, Italy, Japan and six from the US.
The space agency said the satellites are being launched under a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Ltd. The mission life of RISAT2-BR1 is five years, ISRO said.
RISAT-2BR1 follows the successful launch of RISAT-2B in May 22.
(With inputs from PTI)