ISRO’S PSLV MILESTONE: 60TH FLIGHT ON HORIZON
Why in the News?
- ISRO commemorates the 60th anniversary of the inaugural sounding rocket launch from Thumba, marking a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey.
PSLV: A Reliable Workhorse
- The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), hailed as the “reliable workhorse,” gears up for its 60th flight.
- Recognized for its consistent success, the PSLV remains a cornerstone of ISRO’s launch capabilities.
Launch Target: End of December
- ISRO aims to achieve the landmark 60th PSLV launch by the end of December this year.
- The mission’s focal point is XPoSAT, the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite, representing India’s maiden dedicated polarimetry venture.
XPoSAT Mission: Exploring X-ray Sources
- The upcoming PSLV mission holds XPoSAT as its payload, focusing on exploring the dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources under extreme conditions.
- This marks India’s pioneering foray into dedicated polarimetry missions.
Strap-On Boosters for the 60th Flight
- For the 60th PSLV flight, ISRO opts for a variant equipped with two strap-on motors.
- This modification aligns with the agency’s commitment to innovation and adaptability in space exploration.
PSLV’s Evolution: 30 Years of Progress
- With its roots traced back to the developmental flight PSLV-D1, which faced setbacks in 1993, the PSLV has evolved into a four-stage expendable launch vehicle.
- Over the past 30 years, successful developmental flights paved the way for its commercial launches.
Despite initial challenges, the PSLV emerged as a testament to ISRO’s resilience and determination. Its consistent achievements underscore India’s prowess in space exploration, with the 60th flight poised to contribute to cutting-edge scientific exploration.