Sunday, August 14, 2011

India's PSLV launch picture: a unique photograph

Came across this picture of the launch of satellites using India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle [PSLV]. While varied launch photographs of PSLV & Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle [GSLV] themselves are quite readily available on the Internet, this particular photograph caught my attention.

This photograph seems to be taken during that phase of the flight sequence when the PSLV's countdown has just about entered the positive counting [looking at the propagation of the flame front underneath the vehicle] & its umbilical cords are still attached to the Launch Vehicle [T+milliseconds]. To be more broad-based and, thus, correct, the photograph here depicts the flight sequence of the PSLV between T-1 to T+milliseconds in the countdown. The photograph has been taken from an elevation almost as high as that of Launch Vehicle itself - not many such pictures of Indian Satellite launches I've seen. Most pictures available are that of after visible lift-off.

Click on the picture to view a larger-sized image

20110814-Polar-Satellite-Launch-Vehicle-PSLV-C9-01

The PSLV C-9 launch was unique as it created a world record by placing 10 satellites into orbit in a single mission, the largest number put in orbit in a single launch anywhere in the world.

Satellites placed in orbit included:

  • Cartosat-2A
  • IMS-1/TWSAT
  • RUBIN-8
  • CanX-6/NTS
  • CanX-2
  • Cute-1.7+APD II
  • Delfi-C3
  • SEEDS-2
  • COMPASS-1
  • AAUSAT-II

Photographs of the Indian payloads.

Click on the thumbnail to view larger-sized images

20110814-IMS-1-Satellite-India-02 20110814-CARTOSAT-2A-Satellite-India-03

via: Aeronautical Society of India

The PSLV-C17 recently completed a successful mission of launching the GSAT-12 satellite, completing its 18th consecutive successful mission - yet another record for India's Space body - the Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO]. The next mission for the PSLV is expected to be the India-France joint program, the Megha - Tropiques along with Indonesian satellites LAPAN-A2 & LAPAN-ORARI & Orbcomm's AIS Sat-1 as piggyback payloads to be launched aboard the PSLV C-18 mission scheduled for the 25th of September 2011.

Godspeed

Earlier today: Professor Dr. Yash Pal - Science for all [weekend viewing & reading]

Also: Polar & Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle [Infographic]

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle [GSLV] F-06: the ill-fated launch

Watch: India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle [PSLV] - Stacking [assembly] & successful launch [PSLV-C6]