India’s Multi Wavelength Space Observatory ASTROSAT successfully launched

India's first multi-wavelength space observatory 'ASTROSAT' successfully launched

Ques: Recently, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched India’s first multi-wavelength space observatory ‘ASTROSAT’ from which of the following spacecraft?

a. PSLV- C28

b. PSLV- C30

c. PSLV -C29

d. PSLV -C31

Ans: b

Related facts:

  • September 28, 2015 India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C30) successfully launched ASTROSAT, the country’s Multi Wavelength Space Observatory.
  • The 320 tonne, 45 m tall PSLV-C30 carrying 7 satellites including the 1513 kg ASTROSAT.
  • It includes 4 USA and 1-1 each of Indonesia and Canada satellites.
  • About twenty two minutes after lift-off, ASTROSAT was successfully placed in orbit and separated from the fourth stage of PSLV-C30.
  • Soon after its separation from PSLV-C30, the two solar arrays of ASTROSAT were automatically deployed and the Spacecraft Control Centre at the Mission Operations Complex of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bangalore took control of ASTROSAT.
  • It is notable that this was the 30th successful flight of PSLV during 1994-2015.
  • PSLV has launched a total of 84 satellites including the seven satellites successfully includes 51 foreign satellites.
  • This scientific satellite mission endeavors for a more detailed understanding of our universe.
  • ASTROSAT is designed to observe the universe in the Visible, Ultraviolet, low and high energy X-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum simultaneously with the help of its five payloads.
  • With its successful launch, India became the first country in the developing world to have its own telescope in space and joins a select club of US, European Union and Japan to have such a capability.
  • China is still working on its first space telescope called the ‘Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope’.

Reference:

http://www.isro.gov.in/update/28-sep-2015/pslv-successfully-launches-india%E2%80%99s-multi-wavelength-space-observatory-astrosat