The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday announced that its PSLV-C50 rocket has successfully placed communication satellite CMS-01 into orbit. The communication satellite will provide coverage over the entire country for disaster management and satellite internet connection.
The polar satellite launch vehicle’s 52nd mission lift-off took place at 3.41 pm from the second launch pad at the spaceport of Sriharikota. A few minutes later the rocket was placed into orbit and ISRO chairman Dr. K Sivan announced the mission was a success.
“CMS01 successfully separated from the fourth stage of PSLV-C50. PSLV-C50 successfully injected CMS01 communication satellite precisely in predefined orbit.
The satellite is functioning very well and will be placed in a specified slot in another four days. Teams worked very well and safely under COVID-19 pandemic situation,” said ISRO Chairman Dr. K Sivan.
CMS-01 hopes to provide services in the Extended-C Band of the frequency spectrum covering India, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep islands, officials said. It follows the successful launch of the PSLV-C49 (EOS-01) earth observation satellite and nine customer spacecraft on November 7 which was ISRO’s first mission of the year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was the second launch for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) this year, with most of the missions – including the big-ticket solar mission and first unmanned flight of the Gaganyaan mission – delayed due to the pandemic.
The current satellite has an estimated mission life of over seven years and will enhance the country’s communication networks and aid in e-learning, telemedicine, and disaster management services.
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