Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday successfully launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) - C50 rocket carrying communication satellite CMS-01 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Sriharikota at 1541 hours. ALSO READ | 2020 Economy: Battered Businesses & The Way Forward

The launch of PSLV rockets’ XL variant numbered ‘PSLV-C50’ is carrying a 1,410-kg communication satellite which  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.


All About CMS-01 Satellite

It will also provide improved coverage over the Indian mainland. Meanwhile as per ISRO's latest notification, CMS-01 has successfully separated from fourth stage of PSLV-c50 and has been injected into the orbit.

CMS-01 satellite with a life span of seven years is envisaged for providing services in Extended-C Band of the frequency spectrum, which will include the Indian mainland, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.

The CMS-01 will be a replacement for GSAT-12 that weighed 1,410 kg and was launched on July 11, 2011 with a mission life of eight years. This is the first communication satellite that ISRO has sent up under its new naming scheme.

The 44-metre-high four staged/engine PSLV-C50 is the 22nd flight of PSLV in 'XL' configuration (with six strap-on motors hugging the first stage). The rocket weighs 320 tonne.

ISRO has recently decided to go generic in naming its satellites. It had earlier named its earth observation satellites as EOS and the communication satellites are being named as CMS.

"Nowadays satellites have multiple payloads for varied users and hence a thematic satellite may be a misnomer and ISRO might have decided to go for a generic name," M. Annadurai, who retired as Director, U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), formerly ISRO Satellite Centre, had told news agnecy IANS.

The space mission is second from this rocket port and third for the country this year.

ISRO's previous launches

ISRO launched radar imaging satellite EOS-01 (Earth Observation Satellite-01, formerly RISAT-2BR2) with a PSLV rocket on November 7, 2020.

Earlier on January 17, 2020, the Indian space organisation also launched 3,357 kg communication satellite GSAT-30 by the European space agency Arianespace rocket Ariane 5.