From one satellite to 104 satellites (Cartosat-2D) : Historic Achievement by ISRO

From one satellite to 104 satellites : Historic Achievement by ISRO

It is Bharat once again maid a historic achievement, Our scientists at ISRO proved to the world that the world just can not ignore Bharat. Bharat is emerging, Bharat will soon become Vishwa Guru again. Going further let us understand how the journey was since our first satellite launch to till date.

Carrying satellite on bicycle and Bullock Cart

Carrying satellite on bicycle and Bullock Cart

The picture speaks a lot you can read more about here We started lifting satellites on bicycle and bullock cart, it is really an inspiring to read about our scientists. Placing a satellite on its orbit is not an easy job we have achieved it many times and we have achieved it in unique way.

Frugal Engineering : ISRO’s key to success

Bharat always lacking behind in space exploration not because of talent but because of budget and I am not saying that Bharat is not so rich to spend on it. We are capable both talent wise and budget wise, but our previous government was not so keen about this and hence our scientists were helpless. 

Despite government’s less support ISRO has done remarkable job, it is possible because the way ISRO is working. Frugal Engineering is the key to success for ISRO to achieve the best with a less budget. I will explain it in simple way, NASA will prepare atleast 4-5 test samples and then will launch the final satellite, which cost more for all test launches, but ISRO tries all possible way by simulating it and then analyzing every possibilities then trying with a final launch. It is possible only because we have best minds, who can analyse, who can calculate everything without even doing a prototyping and without even real testing

Aryabhata India’s First Satellite to Cartosat-2D 104 satellites at once

It was in April 1975 Bharat launched first Satellite as an experiment and for learning all the basics of satellite launch, Active technological experience in building and operating a satellite system. India’s first satellite. It is not the weight it is carrying matters here because smaller satellites will make it possible but satellites have to be stacked all together with specific settings so that they can be released in their orbits without affecting the flights of others or colliding with each other. This is where ISRO has done a remarkable job and a great engineering innovations.

Aryabhata was a kind of experimental launch but cartosat-2D carried 104 satellite at once, it took decades of hardwork and dedication. It was a continuous learning for our scientists.

PSLV-C37 - Cartosat-2D ISRO 104 satellites

PSLV-C37 – Cartosat-2D ISRO 104 satellites


Innovative Approach Used By ISRO To Separate 104 Satellites

Imagine packing up your bag for your journey ! uff wasn’t it challenging to keep most of your items all in one bag? Despite we do hundreds of journey, every time when we travel we spend enough time to pack our stuffs. Common this is not a joke here we are packing 104 satellites in one launch vehicle. And it is not just packing the satellites but releasing satellites in a specific order, with precision in time is most important otherwise they collide with each other. So ISRO has done a remarkable job here, packing 104 satellites? yeah they have done it through an innovative approach.

At the Sriharikota High Altitude Range (SHAR) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC),ISRO used adapters such as Multiple Satellite Adapter (MSA) and Payload Adapter (PLA) were used along with six custom made adapters to house the satellites. The primary payload was mounted on the PLA, Some of the custom made adapters allowed multiple tier attachments of satellites. A few nanosatellites were even housed in the Vehicle Equipment Bay,which normally only contains the systems for ground communications, and functions as the “brain” of the launch vehicle.

Managing the separation events of the satellites, satellites would have to be released after the launch vehicle lost contact with the Isro Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) tracking station at Mauritius, and before establishing contact with the Troll station in Antartica. 

The stage to which the satellites were attached had a complex maneuvering program, along with a sequence and timing for the satellite separation events. Isro engineers conducted detailed studies to ensure that the 105 objects, including a PSLV stage, would not collide after separation. Isro had to track 5460 pairs of objects

The separation of satellites, a very complex task in the mission was accomplished using a complex electrical wiring scheme, Any error in the wiring scheme would mean that the wrong satellite would be separated at the wrong time, potentially leading to collisions between the satellites.


The on board camera video shows how Satellites were injected into orbit 


Read more about ISRO :

Read more about ISRO :