PSLV C35’s launch of the SCATSAT 1 satellite. Photo: ISRO

[Via Satellite 09-26-2016] The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has announced that its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in its 37th flight (PSLV C35) has successfully launched eight satellites in a landmark mission today. This was a highly significant mission for ISRO as it marked the first time its PSLV launch vehicle had launched payloads into two different orbits.

ISRO has launched the 371 kg SCATSAT 1 for weather related studies and seven co-passenger satellites into polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). The co-passenger satellites are ALSAT 1B, ALSAT 2B, ALSAT 1N from Algeria, NLS 19 from Canada and Pathfinder-1 from USA as well as two satellites PRATHAM from IIT Bombay and PISAT from PES University, Bengaluru.

SCATSAT 1 was placed into a 720 km Polar SSO whereas the two Universities/Academic Institute satellites and the five foreign satellites will be placed into a 670 km polar orbit. PSLV C35 was launched from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota earlier today.