ISRO to launch PSLV-54 mission on Nov 26

Bengaluru: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scheduled the launch of the PSLV-54/ EOS-06 mission with Oceansat-3 and eight nanosatellites on November 26, PTI reported.

The launch is scheduled at 11.56 am on November 26, ISRO, headquartered in Bengaluru, said.

A senior ISRO official told PTI about the cargo, "EOS-06 (Oceansat-3) plus eight nanosatellites (BhutanSat, 'Anand' from Pixxel, Thybolt two numbers from Dhruva Space, and Astrocast - four numbers from Spaceflight USA)."

Two days ago, ISRO created history by launching India's first-ever privately-developed sub-orbital rocket. The Vikram-S was launched successfully. Hyderabad-based Skyroot was backed by Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC to work with ISRO. Named after scientist Vikram Sarabhai, it was launched from an ISRO site near Chennai.

The launch is a milestone in India's effort to develop a commercial space industry. ISRO opened its doors to private companies in 2020. The initiative intends to work against the entry barriers to cost-efficient satellite launch services. It also aims to promote space-flight missions and make them affordable, regular, and reliable.

ISRO officials think the success of Vikram-S will validate the technologies in the 'Vikram' series of space launch vehicles planned by Skyroot.

The rocket developed by the space startup Skyroot weighs 545 kg and has the capability of reaching Mach 5 - five times the speed of sound. It can also carry a payload of 83 kg. Skyroot has employed about 200 people and has raised Rs 530 crore. The maiden launch project involved around 100 people.