ROOM
58
Astronautics
All the 104 satellites were deployed in a 505
km polar Sun-synchronous orbit and, according
to B. Jayakumar, mission director, one of the key
challenges was to ensure they did not collide
during separation. For this, he explained a new
separation technology had been implemented
which worked efficiently.
He described the mission as a “good
learning experience”.
Planning for this nail biting mission began
six months before, when PSLV successfully
launched 20 satellites on 22 June 2016, which
gave ISRO the confidence to launch a larger
number of satellites.
Keeping this in mind, ISRO first planned to
launch 83 satellites in a single shot in October
2016. Three months later it rose to 104. And
the risky and complex mission was born, which
K.Sivan, director of ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space
Centre, admitted was one of the toughest.
Dismissing oft repeated theories, ISRO chairman
A.S.Kiran Kumar made it clear that the role of
the mission was not to enter into a global space
race or break any record, but merely to utilise the
additional capacity of the PSLV. The rocket had an
additional capacity of 600 kg so it was decided to
accommodate the extra satellites.
In a post launch media interaction, the
ISRO chief emphasised the mission was about
“maximising returns and improving capacity”. But
there are a few sceptics who seem convinced
that the mission is a signal to China. “In a way the
Indian mission will trigger an Asian space race
and do not be surprised if China starts planning to
launch multiple satellites in one shot only to beat
India,’’ observed a space analyst.
Apparently shaken by the success of the Indian
mission, China immediately began analysing
the reasons why it was so successful and how it
was cost-effective. Some Chinese media reports
quoting its space officials even acknowledged
seemed a soundless lift off but within minutes the
silence was rudely shattered with the awesome roar
and thunder of the powerful rocket as it climbed
higher and higher on a yellowish plume of smoke.
It was fire and thunder. Many were gathered on the
terraces of the nearby buildings of the spaceport
to witness history in the making - applauding,
cheering and screaming with joy and excitement.
The rocket disappeared into a dark patch of
cloud and along with it the ear-deafening sound
faded away.
In mission control a team of scientists - mostly
from the southern Indian states of Tamilnadu
and Kerala sporting a grey ash powder on their
foreheads to invoke God’s blessings - were glued
to their computers monitoring the progress of the
flight which was going on smoothly.
The first satellite to be deployed was India’s
Cartosat-2 followed within seconds by the
indigenous nanosatellites. Then in intervals of four
to 12 seconds the foreign satellites were released
into orbit.
These nanosatellites were enclosed in 25
quadpacks - three to five satellites in each -
which were released in a time-sequence manner.
Once the quadpacks left the rocket, they opened
to place the small satellites in orbit.
The PEASS-1 satellite
during construction in the
Netherlands.
Planet
ISRO/NRSC
The foreign
satellites
were released
into orbit at
intervals of
four to 12
seconds
