After series of setbacks, launch of UK satellites comes as a morale booster for ISRO

The launch marked a new milestone for the space agency

ISRO's PSLV-C42, carrying two foreign satellites, NovaSAR and S1-4, lifts off from first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, on Sunday | AP ISRO's PSLV-C42, carrying two foreign satellites, NovaSAR and S1-4, lifts off from first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, on Sunday | AP

The launch of two satellites for a private British firm by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) might seem a rather routine event for the space mission, which has, of late, started making some money by launching private satellites. It has launched 239 satellites (including the two recent ones) from 28 countries, so far. 

The launch marked a new milestone for the ISRO. This was a unique night mission, the launch happened at 10.08 pm. ISRO had done morning, afternoon and twilight launches, never a post sunset one. 

Also, it was the 12th launch of the Core Alone version of the PSLV. Core Alone is the lightest of ISRO's vehicles, with just a core engine and no boosters. It is ideal for launching small satellites. 

But the successful launch has done more than boosting ISRO's reputation for affordable launches of small satellites. The space agency has not had the sailing too smooth in recent times. Last year, on April 31, the PSLV C 39 flight failed. Though the launch was perfect, the heat shields (which protect the satellite till it is safely out of the atmosphere) did not open, so the navigation satellite, IRNSS - I H could not be released. The mission was a failure and a huge setback for the reputation of the PSLV, ISRO's most reliable vehicle. 

Then, soon after present chairperson K. Sivan took charge, ISRO faced another embarrassment with its GSLV Mk II launch. It lost contact with the communication satellite GSAT 6 A soon after it was launched. Another failure, another several hundred crores of rupees gone waste. A few days later, there was a big fire which broke out at ISRO's Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad on May 3. Although there were no injuries, it was another big embarrassment, one which the centre's head, Tapan Mishra, had to pay for. Misra, who was touted next in line for the top post, was shunted to headquarters as advisor to the chairperson, a consultative post, not an executive one, practically removing him from the race. 

Then again, Chandrayaan 2, which was to be launched in October, had to be delayed to next January because the lander was kicking up too much dust. 

ISRO, specially its chairperson Sivan, can do with some feel good factor, and the most recent launch has done exactly that. ISRO is entering a very busy phase with almost one launch every other week for the next six months. This includes the moon mission. ISRO is also working towards the human space flight mission, Gaganyaan, for a 2022 deadline. 

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