ISRO Successfully Launches PSLV-XL with 9 Payloads

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched their PSLV-XL rocket this morning on the 26 November at 06:26 GMT. Carrying 9 payloads, the vehicle made it to Sun-Synchronous Orbit with no issues. The main payload on this mission is the Oceansat-3, which is part of the ISRO's Oceansat program. The satellite's main purpose is for observing the ocean, which includes; gathering ocean colour data, sea surface temperature measurements and wind vector data.

Other payloads were carried on this mission, also headed for Sun-Synchronous orbit. BhutanSat, known as INS-2B, has two payloads, NanoMx - a multispectral optical imaging payload and APRS-Digipeater. The Anand satellite is a demo to illustrate the capabilities of miniaturized earth-observation camera using a microsatellite. The Thybolt spacecraft bus and Astrocast technology demo satellite also launched onboard this mission. The other payloads were also deployed into their intended orbits.

This successful launch marks ISRO's 5th launch attempt this year, as well as the 3rd successful launch from this launch pad this year.

Who are ISRO?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Government of India headquartered in the city of Bangalore. Its vision is to "harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration."

What is PSLV-XL?

PSLV-XL is the upgraded version of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its standard configuration boosted by more powerful, stretched strap-on boosters with 12 tonne propellant load. Weighing 320t at lift-off, the vehicle uses larger strap-on motors (PSOM-XL or S12) to achieve higher payload capability. On 29 December 2005, ISRO successfully tested the improved version of strap-on booster for the PSLV. The first use of PSLV-XL was the launch of Chandrayaan-1 by PSLV C11. The payload capability for this variant is 1,800 kg to SSO.