PSLV-C7 majestic launch, ISRO phoenix success

Dispersing the clouds of gloom after the failure of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle six months back, the ISRO emerged as a phoenix with the successful launch of PSLV-C7, the tenth flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle…writes Kriti Attri.



Scaling the new height, on 10th January, the PSLV launched India's most advanced earth-observation satellite, along with two small satellites for foreign customers.


At 0923 hrs, PSLV-C7, the tenth flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, situated in Sriharikota.



Initiating a new mission to test re-entry technology and a forerunner to developing reusable vehicles like Space Shuttle, the 44.4 metre tall, four-stage 295 tonne launch vehicle of the ISRO, carried four payloads, including the first of its kind 550 KG Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE).



The main payload was the 680 kg advanced Indian Remote Sensing Satellite CARTOSAT-2. Indonesia's 56 kg earth observation satellite LAPAN-TUBSAT and Argentina's six kg nanosatellite PEHUENSAT-1 were the other payloads.



The PSLV-C7, in its present configuration, had four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately.



After a majestic take off with the ignition of the core first stage, followed by six strap-on motors and smooth separation of the remaining three stages, the PSLV-C7 injected four satellites one after another into precise orbit.



The launch was PSLV's ninth successful launch in a row, proving that it is a trusted workhorse of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).



Tracking the mission aim, the Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE) is expected to be recovered on 22nd January when it falls into the Bay of Bengal after staying in orbit for 11 days.



The latest achievement has put India in the elite club of countries having successfully tested Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1) and launching multiple satellites, a first for ISRO.



Also the success is a tremendous boost to the morale of the 15,000-strong ISRO community after the failure of its Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) on 10th July 2006.



Drawing lesson from the previous disappointment, extra care was taken for the launch of PSLV-C7, Vehicle Director of the PSLV mission George Koshy said.



Lauding the success of the mission, a jubilant G. Madhavan Nair, ISRO Chairman, said he had "no words" to describe the success of the "text-book mission."



He added, "We have done it... We have put all the four satellites into required orbits. Our boys have done it. It has helped to capture back the confidence of the country in our space missions."



Amidst joyful mood, Dr. B.N. Suresh, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, which built PSLV-C7, said, "Four satellites being injected into orbit with the same vehicle is a unique experience for us. There will be four or five launches this year from Sriharikota. This success has given a firm foundation to the launches planned this year."



Applauding the successful launch in direction of India's ambition of entering the realm of high tech manned space missions, President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the entire team of ISRO scientists.



After the dedicated hard work and never to give up spirit the ISRO have again won the confidence of the nation and have set new goals.A journey that begins with setting of one milestone towards another.



ISRO's next mission would be launch of INSAT-4B, the almost four tonne heaviest communication satellite from Kourou, French Guyana in March-April.



That reminds me of Ralph Waldo Emerson words, “We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.”