World’s Lightest Satellite Now In Orbit: ISRO Successfully Launches Microsat-R, Kalamsat-V2 Using PSLV C-44

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully placed Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits using its Polar Satellite Launching Vehicle-C44 (PSLV-C44), Times of India has reported.

At 11.37 pm on Thursday (24 January), the PSLV-C44 lifted off from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota with Microsat-R, a military application sattelite, and Kalamsat-V2, a 10 cm cubesat made by students.

About 13 minutes after the launch, the PSLV successfully injected the 740 kg Microsat-R, an imaging satellite for military operations, at an altitude of about 277.2 km. Microsat-R has been developed in Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories.

Subsequently, the fourth stage (PS4) of the vehicle was moved to a higher circular orbit of 453 km after two restarts of the stage, to establish an orbital platform for carrying out experiments. Kalamsat-V2, first to use the fourth and final stage of PSLV as an orbital platform, was taken to its designated orbit about 1 hour and 40 minutes after lift-off.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists behind the successful launch.

According to the TOI report, the PS4 will stay ‘alive’ for the next six months before it drifts away and disintegrates upon reaching the earth’s atmosphere.