ISRO to launch world's lightest satellite 'Kalamsat' made by students; watch countdown here!

Sriharikota: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch world’s lightest satellite made by students of India from the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The space organisation has announced that the 28-hour countdown has begun for the launch of PSLV-C44 which will carry the 1.2 kg student satellite named ‘Kalamsat’. The unique satellite was built in a record time of six days after ISRO gave its nod for the project. PSLV- C44, a new variant of PSLV is being used to launch the student satellite in the space orbit. ISRO also said that the cost of launch is on the house and not even a single rupee will be charged for the launch. The student satellite was conceptualised and designed a team of eight students, comprising two graduates and six undergraduates. These students were shortlisted by a Chennai-based start-up Space Kidz India. ISRO has stated that Kalamsat is world’s lightest satellite and today’s launch will add another feather to India’s journey in space. Kalamsat is the first satellite designed and built by an Indian private entity and Space Kidz India to be launched by ISRO. According to media reports, a smaller version of Kalamsat which was nicknamed ‘Gulab Jamun’ due to its small size was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2017. Watch the countdown here: Along with Kalamsat, a 740-kg satellite called Microsat-R will also be sent to orbit which will be used to take high-resolution photos of the Earth for defence research. The PSLV which is 44.4-metre-long and weighs 260 tonnes will attempt to take both satellites into orbit on its 46th launch.

🇮🇳 #ISROMissions 🇮🇳#PSLVC44 sits pretty on the launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota under the watchful eyes of the #Moon, ahead of its midnight launch tomorrow (Jan 24), carrying #Kalamsat and #MicrosatR. Updates will continue. pic.twitter.com/DA1fatQA5U

— ISRO (@isro) January 23, 2019

About 14 minutes into the flight, the PSLV will eject Microsat R at an altitude of around 277 km. The ‘Kalamsat’ would be the first to use the rocket’s fourth stage as an orbital platform. The fourth stage would be moved to higher circular orbit so as to establish an orbital platform for carrying out experiments.