By Dominick Rodrigues/Arunkumar Rao

 Sriharikota, Dec 17: India’s PSLV-C50 successfully launched its communication satellite CMS-01 into space today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

PSLV-C50 lifted off from the Second Launch Pad of SDSC SHAR at 15:41 hours (IST) carrying CMS01 and, after a flight of about 20 minutes and 12 seconds, the vehicle injected the satellite into its intended orbit, where the solar panels of CMS-01 were automatically deployed and ISRO’s Master Control Facility at Hassan assumed control of the satellite.

In the coming days, orbit-raising maneuvers will be executed to position the satellite in the Geostationary Orbit at its designated location.

Commenting after the successful launch, ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan lauded the tireless efforts of both the satellite and launch vehicle teams in the mission’s success amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMS-01 is a communication satellite envisaged for providing services in Extended-C Band of the frequency spectrum. The Extended-C Band coverage will include Indian mainland, Andaman-Nicobar & Lakshadweep Islands.

CMS-01 is the 42nd Communication Satellite of India. PSLV-C50 is the 52nd flight of PSLV and 22nd flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with 6 strap-on motors). This was the 77th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

Talking about the upcoming PSLV-C51 mission, Dr K Sivan said “The mission will mark the fruition of the space reforms recently introduced in the country and this mission will carry three satellites built by private entities.”