Countdown begins for launch of Earth Observation satellite EOS-01: ISRO
CHENNAI: Taking another step forward in space technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch the country’s latest and modified earth observation satellite EOS-01 along with nine international customer spacecraft through PSLV-C49 rocket on Saturday.
As the 26-hour countdown started at 1.02 pm on Friday, the EOS-01 satellite, formerly RISAT-2BR2, would be be used for applications in agriculture, forestry, and disaster management support of the country’s’ requirements.
Indias Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its 51st mission (PSLV-C49), will launch EOS-01 as primary satellite along with nine international customer satellites. EOS-01 is an earth observation satellite intended for applications in agriculture, forestry and disaster management support, ISRO has said.
The customer satellites are being launched under commercial agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Department of Space, it said.
The customer satellites include one from Lithuania for technology demonstration, and four each from Luxembourg and USA for maritime applications and multi-mission remote sensing respectively.
ISRO scientists offer prayers at Tirumala
Meanwhile, scientists from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara Swamy at Tirumala temple on Friday. The Scientists who were involved in the PSLV C-49 project, have placed a replica of the satellite at the feet of the Lord invoking the divine blessings for its successful lunch, according to temple sources here.
The 26-hour countdown for the November 7 launch of the Indian rocket, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C49 (PSLV-C49), carrying the country’s radar imaging satellite and nine other foreign satellites, began at 1.02 PM on Friday. In addition to the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-01, ISRO will launch 9 other foreign satellites and the rocket is expected to lift off at 3:02 PM on Saturday afternoon from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.
The proposed launch will be the first space mission for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2020. This C49 mission is the 51st launch in the PSLV series.. The mission had been scheduled for earlier this year but was postponed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. In keeping with the pandemic protocol, gathering of media personnel is not allowed for this launch.
The launching gallery that usually hosts hundreds of guests has also been closed due to COVID. The PSLV-C49 mission is carrying nine customer satellites from three other countries apart from the main payload.