ISRO to launch PSLV-C50 carrying communication satellite on Dec. 17

ISRO is scheduled to launch PSLV-C50 with CMS-01 on December 17 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR

PSLV-C50, which is the 52nd mission of PSLV, will launch CMS-01 from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch is tentatively scheduled at 1541 hours IST subject to weather conditions.

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.

While the launch date was initially scheduled for December 7,  due to bad weather and the possibility of hurricanes the date was changed twice..

PSLV-C50 is the 22nd flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with 6 strap-on motors). This will be the 77th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

ISRO added that this will be the 77th launch vehicle mission from SDSC, SHAR. The PSLV is 44-metre-high and has four stages with six strap-on booster motors on to the first stage that gives it’s a higher thrust during the initial flight moments. ISRO has developed and used different PSLV variants, including ones with either two or four strap-on motors, or the Core Alone variant without any strap-on motors. As the PSLV is not a reusable rocket, the first stage won’t be reclaimed and it will crash into the Indian Ocean.