The first set of four
strap-on motors separated as planned at 68 sec after lift-off and the second
set of two strap-on motors separated at 90 sec. The first stage of PSLV
separated at 112 sec and the second stage ignited immediately thereafter. The
heat-shield was jettisioned at 156 sec as planned when the vehicle had reached
an altitude of 125 km thus having cleared the dense atmosphere. The second
stage separation and the third stage ignition occurred at 281 sec and the third
stage separation occurred at 503 sec from after lift off. The last stage
ignited after a long coasting of the vehicle at 585 sec at an altitude of 613
km and the fourth stage thrust cut-off occurred at 984 sec when the vehicle had
reached an altitude of 719 km.
The first satellite to be separated from the fourth stage was IRS-P4 mounted on
top at 1010 sec from lift-off. This was followed by a 40 deg yaw manoeuvre of
the fourth stage and separation of KITSAT-3 which was mounted on the equipment
bay. Subsequently, the fourth stage was further yaw-manoeuvred for another 40
deg and DLR-TUBSAT, mounted diagonally opposite to KITSAT-3 was injected into
orbit. The sequence of separation was planned in such a way as to avoid any
collision between the three satellites and the spent fourth stage.
Soon after injection into orbit, the two solar arrays on board IRS-P4 were
automatically deployed by an on-board sequencer. This event was monitored by
ISRO Telemetry, Tracking & Command Network (ISTRAC) station at Mauritius.
The preliminary data received from IRS-P4 indicates normal performance of the
satellite. IRS-P4, is now orbiting the earth with a period of 99.31 minute. The
release of hold-down and tilt mechanisms of Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and
initial testing of Multifrequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR) are
planned during the 15th orbit, tomorrow (May 27, 1999). After detailed testing
of various systems and fine orbital corrections, IRS-P4 is expected to become
operational in about ten days.
As per the post launch sequence of events for KITSAT-3, the telemetry system on
board is switched ON three and a half hours after separation and the first
contact with the command ground station in Korea is expected at 7:30 pm IST
this evening. Normal operations of KITSAT-3 is expected to commence in about
four weeks. The first signals from DLR-TUBSAT are expected to be received at
the University ground station in Berlin, Germany, also by 7:30 pm IST this
evening.
PSLV is now used for launching Indian Remote Sensing satellites. Besides, it is
now offered for launching satellites of other agencies either as auxiliary
payloads or as main payloads depending upon the payload weight and capacity of
the vehicle. Besides the two auxiliary payloads, KITSAT-3 and DLR-TUBSAT,
launched by PSLV-C2 today, Antrix has already signed an agreement with VERHAERT
Design and Development N.V, Belgium, for launching a small satellite, PROBA, in
one of the follow-on flights of PSLV.