ISRO all set for PSLV-C42 launch from Sriharikota on Sunday, countdown begins

NEW DELHI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch two foreign satellites on-board its most trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C42 (PSLV) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Sunday.

According to reports, the countdown for the launch of two earth observation satellites began at 1.08 PM on Saturday.

ISRO's trusted workhorse PSLV-C42 would be carrying the two satellites - NovaSAR and S1-4 - weighing over 800 kilograms.

Update #1#ISROMissions#PSLV#PSLVC42
Here's PSLV-C42 (Core Alone) sitting pretty on the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Two foreign satellites, NovaSAR & S1-4, are set to be launched into a 583 km Sun Synchronous Orbit, tomorrow.@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/tcjUPeUGXk — ISRO (@isro) September 15, 2018

The lift-off is scheduled at 10.07 PM, ISRO said in a release.

Update #2

We have begun the countdown today at 01:08 pm (IST) for the launch of #PSLVC42 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The scheduled launch is at 10:08 pm (IST) tomorrow. Stay tuned for more updates.@PMOIndia #ISROMissions#PSLV pic.twitter.com/CKRzSQM5PV — ISRO (@isro) September 15, 2018

The foreign satellites, meant for forest mapping and flood and disaster monitoring, among other uses, would be released into sun-synchronous orbit at a height of 583 km, it added.

They have been developed by Surrey Satellite Technologies Limited, United Kingdom.

The mission is a commercial arrangement between the company and Antrix Corporation Limited - the commercial wing of ISRO.

This would be the 44th flight of the PSLV and the third launch by ISRO this year.

In January, PSLV-C40 launched India’s weather observation satellite Cartosat 2 Series and PSLV-C41 launched IRNSS - 1I navigation satellite in April.