The PSLV-C51[3] is the 53rd mission of the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) program. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C51 was launched at 04:54 (UTC) / 10:24 (IST) on 28 February 2021 with the main payload from Brazil, INPE's Amazônia-1[4][5] and 18 other ride-sharing small satellites.[6][7][8][9]
PSLV-DL launch | |
---|---|
Launch | 28 February 2021UTC | , 03:54:00
Pad | Sriharikota First |
Payload | Amazônia-1 Satish Dhawan Sat[1] JITsat GHRCEsat Sri Shakthi Sat SpaceBEE (×12)[2] SAI-I - Nanoconnect-2 SindhuNetra |
PSLV launches | |
It was the first dedicated commercial launch executed by NSIL.[10]
The PSLV-C51 was launched from the First Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh,India. The PSLV C51 rocket carried primary payload, Amazônia-1 and 18 secondary payloads[7] like SDSat and three UnitySats[11](JITsat, GHRCEsat, Sri Shakthi Sat) etc.
It was the third flight of PSLV-DL,[3] having 2 strap-on boosters and placed the payloads in Sun-synchronous orbits.[12]
Private sector company Ananth Technologies worked with ISRO on the PSLV-C51 mission. The company conducted stage integration and checkout on the mission, marking the first time that ISRO had contracted a private sector company to undertake the task.[13][14]
The launch was originally scheduled for 22 February 2021, but was delayed to 28 February owing to delays in assembly of the rocket.[15]
The PSLV C51 rocket has four stages; each one was self-contained, with its own propulsion system, thereby capable of functioning independently. The first and third stages used composite solid propellants, while the second and fourth stage use earth-storable liquid propellant.