Kalamsat and Microsat-R set to hit the skies: First launch of the year by ISRO

January 17: The Indian Space Research Organisation has geared up to launch the Kalamsat payload and Microsat-R satellite. This will be the first launch of year 2019 from ISRO.

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in its 46th flight, will launch the Kalamsat and Microsat-R from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota on January 24, 2019.

 

Kalamsat which is a student payload will be the first to use PS4 as orbital platform. It will also carry Microsat-R which is an imaging satellite

PSLV-C44 is the first mission of PSLV-DL and is a new variant of PSLV while PSLV is a four stage launch vehicle with alternating solid and liquid stages.

Highlight of the mission is, in PSLV-C44, the fourth stage (PS4) of the vehicle will be moved to higher circular orbit so as to establish an orbital platform for carrying out experiments.

Normally, the fourth stage would be deserted in space after the injection of the satellites; but this time, it will be kept 'live' for carrying out innovative studies.

One of the other specialities of the mission this time would be the configuration of the rocket. It will carry only two strap-on motors by the sides of the first fuel stage at the bottom.