The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday launched India’s newest ‘spy’ satellite RISAT-2BR1 onboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C48) from its spaceport of Sriharikota.
PSLV-C48 also carried 9 customer satellites of Israel(1), Italy(1), Japan(1) and USA(6) as co-passengers. These international customer satellites are being launched under a commercial arrangement with New Space India Limited (NSIL).
“#PSLVC48 carrying #RISAT2BR1 & 9 customer satellites successfully lifts off from Sriharikota,” ISRO tweeted.
“All 9 customer satellites(from Israel, Italy, Japan and USA) successfully placed in their designated orbit by #PSLVC48,” ISRO added.
The launch marked a significant milestone for the space agency – the 50th flight of the PSLV.
RISAT-2BR1, a Radar imaging earth observation satellite weighing about 628 kg was placed into an orbit of 576 km at an inclination of 37 degree.
PSLV-C48 is the 2nd flight of PSLV in ‘QL’ configuration (with 4 strap-on motors). This was the 75th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 37th launch from the First Launch pad.
