In a yet another achievement for ISRO, its dependable PSLV rocket, which is carrying two European Space Agency (ESA) satellites, took off from the spaceport here on Thursday.
The launch was postponed for today at 4:04 pm, and a revised countdown was set after an abnormality was found in one of the satellites' propulsion systems on Wednesday, just minutes before the launch.
The PSLV C-59 launched to put the Proba-3 spacecraft in the desired orbit as the countdown concluded.
In a social media post after the launch, the Bengaluru-based space agency said, "Lift off achieved. PSLV-C59 has successfully soared into the skies, marking the commencement of a global mission led by NSIL, with ISRO's technical expertise, to deploy ESA's groundbreaking PROBA-3 satellites. A proud moment celebrating the synergy of international collaboration and India's space achievements."
Proba-3 (Project for Onboard Anatomy) consists of two satellites in which two spacecraft would fly together as one, maintaining precise formation down to a single millimetre to study the Corona, the Sun's outer atmosphere.
NewSpace India Ltd, the commercial arm of ISRO has bagged the order from the ESA for the launch.
The 44.5 metre tall polar satellite launch vehicle blasted off majestically from the first launch pad at the latest time at 4.04 pm.
'Probas' is a Latin word, which refers to 'Let's try'.
The mission objective is to demonstrate precise formation flying and two spacecraft - 'Coronagraph' and 'Occulter' would be launched together in a stacked configuration, ISRO said.
Prior to Wednesday's launch, ISRO had successfully launched the Proba-1 rocket by the European Space Agency in 2001.
Follow us
