NEW DELHI: For the first time in the country’s space history, Indian Space Research Organisation ( Isro ) is going to launch a PSLV mission in March where it will release payloads in three different orbits.

Talking to TOI, Isro chairman K Sivan said, "Isro will launch PSLV C45 mission in the last week of March. Soon after takeoff from Sriharikota , the rocket will first launch an electromagnetic intelligence satellite Emisat of DRDO at an orbit of 763 km. Soon after launching the DRDO payload, PS-4 stage (last stage of rocket) will make two orbital manoeuvres (last stage will be restarted twice in order to use the propulsion system to change the orbit) to reach an orbit of 504 km where it will release 28 customer satellites. Thereafter, the PS-4 will again make two orbital manoeuvres to reach the 485 km orbit where it will be released and double up as an experimental platform for space experiments."

Sivan said, "PSLV C45 will be a totally new rocket. Unlike PSLV-C44 that had two-straps, this one will have four strap-on boosters. Unlike the previous mission on January 24 when the last stage of the rocket used batteries to remain active, this time we are going to use a solar panel in PS-4 so as to use solar energy to keep it active for at least six months."

On January 24, PSLV C44 rocket had carried a student satellite ‘Kalamsat’ that was attached to PS-4, which students are nowadays using for doing space experiments like microgravity tests for free. The Isro chief said this time "we will carry a small payload of Kerala-based Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (Asia’s first space university). The payload weighing not more than 5-10 kg will remain attached to the PS-4 stage."

He said, "As promised, we will keep making improvements in the PS-4 stage with every launch of the newly configured PSLV rocket. ‘Active’ PS-4 stage will help students and young scientists make the most of this "usually dead stage" for performing experiments in space for free".

The chairman said Isro will launch the Chandrayaan-2 mission in April-end. On reviewing the preparations for the second lunar mission, he said there will be a "national review meet of eminent experts on March 6. A day before this meet, Isro will conduct a national review meet on Gaganyaan or human spaceflight project on March 5".

On the launch of Israel's moon spacecraft by Elon Musk-owned Space X's Falcon-9 rocket on February 21, the Isro chief said,"It is a great effort. I wish them all the best for the mission."

The Israeli spacecraft has been built up by non-profit group SpaceIL and company Israel Aerospace Industries. According to their plan, the lunar spacecraft carrying a robotic lander called Beresheet is scheduled to arrive in the lunar orbit in early April and will attempt a landing on the moon's surface on April 11. If the mission is successful, Israel will become the fourth country after Russia, US and China to land on the moon. Till last year when the Chandrayaan-2 mission was not postponed, India and Israel were in the race to become the fourth country to land on the moon's surface.

On the first test-flight of the mini-PSLV or small satellite launch vehicle, Sivan said the first experiment would take place in July-August when the SSLV will carry two small defence satellites of 120 kg each.

