For the first time in India's space history, an ISRO rocket injected payloads in three different orbits in a single mission. PSLV-C45 first injected electromagnetic intelligence satellite EMISAT in the 748 km orbit and thereafter launched 28 foreign satellites. It was the first time a PSLV rocket was launched with four strap-on motors: ISRO chief

NEW DELHI: The Monday launch of the PSLV-C45 rocket by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) witnessed several firsts. 

For the first time in India's space history, an ISRO rocket injected payloads in three different orbits in a single mission. PSLV-C45 first injected electromagnetic intelligence satellite EMISAT in the 748 km orbit and thereafter it launched 28 foreign satellites in the 504 km orbit.

"After completing its main function, the PS4 (fourth stage of the rocket) is now marching towards the 485 km orbit to do its function as orbital platform for experiments," ISRO chairman K Sivan said soon after the rocket released Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) payload in its respective orbit. EMISAT, which has the capability to detect enemy radars and ground sensors, will boost surveillance capability of the country.

Elaborating on experimental modules carried by the PS4, Sivan said, "This mission is very innovative as three experiments were attached to it - automatic identification system from ISRO for maritime satellite applications capturing messages transmitted from ships, automatic packet repeating system from AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and advanced retarding potential for ionospheric studies (ARIS) from Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) for the structural studies of ionosphere."

On other firsts, the ISRO chief said, "It was the first time a PSLV rocket was launched with four strap-on motors. And there was also a new team for the PSLV." Sivan said the industry contributed a lot for the building of the PSLV-C45 rocket and satellite. "95% of the rocket hardware and 60-65% of satellite components were fabricated by the industry."

In another first, ISRO set up a viewer gallery for the public and around 1,200 viewers enjoyed the show. "As many as 1,200 viewers enjoyed the mission launch today. The next mission we will allow 5,000 viewers and subsequently, it will be increased to 10,000 in future," Sivan said. The PSLV-C45 carried 28 international customer satellites from four countries - Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland and the US. On future missions, Sivan said the space agency is scheduled to launch 30 missions this year.