20 satellites launched from Sriharikota: ISRO

Space vehicle PSLV C-34 with 20 satellites, including India's Cartosat-2 series, lifts off from spaceport of Sriharikota today morning.

The 48-hour countdown began on Monday at 9.26 am for the launch of 20 satellites onboard PSLV C-34 from Sriharikota.

According to ISRO, the total weight of all the 20 satellites is about 1,288 kg.

The countdown began after the launch authorisation board (LAB) gave its nod and filling of Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON-3) of PS4 was completed on Monday.

The co-passengers include satellites from the US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia as well as two satellites from Indian Universities.

The countdown exercise encompasses spacecraft health checks and preparations for propellant filling operation of the second stage (PS2) of PSLV-C34 is in progress.

"Spacecraft health checks and preparations for propellant filling operation of the second stage (PS2) of PSLV-C34 are under progress. The countdown is progressing normally," ISRO said.

Cartosat-2 Series is similar to the earlier Cartosat-2, 2A and 2B, and 19 co-passenger satellites together weighing about 560 kg at lift-off would be injected into a 505-km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit.

The mission would carry LAPAN A3 of Indonesia, BIROS of Germany, SKYSAT GEN 2-1 of US, MVV of Germany among the microsatellites, ISRO sources said.

• Satellites
• launch
• Sriharikota
• ISRO