Isro's 100th mission to be business as usual

Indigenous milestone

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will undertake its 100th mission on Sunday in which an indigenous polar satellite launch vehicle will launch two foreign satellites in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who will witness the milestone event from Sriharikota.

Isro’s workhorse rocket PSLV will carry French satellite SPOT-6 and Japanese micro satellite Proeiteres in its PSLV-C21 flight to the polar orbit at an altitude between 600-800 km. The 800-kg French remote-sensing satellite was built by Astrium SAS.

The launch is scheduled for 9:30 am on Sunday. A successful launch of the French satellite – Isro’s heaviest foreign customer so far – will help the space agency to establish itself in international market as a serious player in the satellite launch business.

The space agency, however, wants to keep its 100th mission a low-profile affair conducted in a business as usual mode. No celebrations or special events are planned at the site.

Isro has come a long way from its early days in the 1960s when the first sounding rocket was launched from Thumba equatorial rocket launching station. The first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-3) took off in 1979.

“Its an important milestone which we achieved after 30-40 years of hard work. It’s a nice feeling. But the show must go on. The programmes are in good shape and should continue with full vigour,” former Isro chairman and Planning Commission member K Kasturirangan told Deccan Herald.

The 100th mission will be followed by the launch of the heavier GSAT-10 satellite from French Guyana using the Ariance Space launch vehicle. The GSAT launch is expected around September 21-22.  0The last quarter of 2012 may also witness the launch of a Indo-French joint scientific payload, which will be carried by PSLV-C20 to be parked at an orbit of 800 km elevation.