ISRO Begins Countdown To Launch Satellite CMS-01 For Improved Telecom Coverage - Here's How To Watch Live

PSLV-C50 Launch, Sriharikota Live Streaming: Depending on the weather conditions, the launch of the PSLV rockets’ XL variant is tentatively scheduled for blast off at 3:41 pm on Thursday.

C-50 is set to launch CMS-01 communication satellite on Thursday from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), in Sriharikota. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Wednesday said that at 2.41 pm the 25-hour countdown for the launch of the PSLV-C50 rocket carrying communication satellite CMS-01 began. Depending on the weather conditions, the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rockets’ XL variant numbered ‘PSLV-C50’ is tentatively scheduled for blastoff at 3:41 pm on Thursday, December 17, from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Countdown for the launch of #PSLVC50/#CMS01 mission commenced today at 1441 Hrs (IST) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

Launch is scheduled tomorrow at 1541 Hrs IST . pic.twitter.com/oYURy06OGc — ISRO (@isro) December 16, 2020

PSLV To Carry CMS-01, a Communication Satellite The PSLV rocket is carrying the CMS-01 communication satellite, which will provide telecommunication services including television, tele-education, tele-medicine, and disaster management support. The 1,410-kg communication satellite will provide services in the Extended-C band of the frequency spectrum and will include expanded and improved telecommunication coverage for both Andaman & Nicobar Islands as well as Lakshadweep. It will also provide improved coverage over the Indian mainland. About 20 minutes into its flight, PSLV-C50 will eject CMS-01 into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) and from there, the satellite will be taken up and positioned at geosynchronous stationary orbit. CMS-01 will replace the GSAT-12 telecommunication satellite After launch, CMS-01 will be India’s 42nd communication satellite to be placed into the Earth’s orbit. Earlier known as GSAT-12R satellite, will replace the GSAT-12 telecommunication satellite currently in orbit, which was launched in 2011 and has functioned beyond its expected lifetime. GSAT-12 itself was a replacement for the INSAT-3B telecommunication satellite. The communication satellite will be inserted higher, extremely elliptical geosynchronous transfer orbit with an apogee (farthest distance from earth) of almost 42,164 km, before which it settles into its final geostationary orbit of 35,000 kms and 83 degrees inclination. At this orbit, the satellite revolves around the Earth at the same speed as Earth’s rotation and appears stationary in the sky when observed from Earth. India’s 42^nd Satellite and PSLV’s 22^nd flight This will be the 22^nd flight of PSLV which will take place in the ‘XL’ configuration. The PSLV normally is a 44-meter-high four staged/engine, in the ‘XL’ configuration it is equipped with six straps on motors. Following the launch on Thursday, it will be the 77th launch vehicle mission from Sriharikota, about 120 km from Chennai. It follows the successful launch of the PSLV-C49 (EOS-01) earth observation satellite and nine customer spacecraft on November 7 which was ISRO’s first mission of the year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The PSLV in the normal configuration is a four-stage/engine expendable rocket powered by solid and liquid fuels alternatively with six booster motors strapped on to the first stage to give higher thrust during the initial flight moments. Where to watch? The PSLV-C50 is set to blast off at a tentative time of 3:41 pm on Thursday, December 17, depending on the weather conditions. The launch will be telecasted live on Doordarshan and will be webcast on ISRO’s official website. Meanwhile, the launch will also be live-streamed on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter through the official handle of the space organization. The telecast will start at 3:10 pm on all media platforms specified.