PSLV-C44


The PSLV-C44 was the 46th mission of the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle program. It was the first flight of PSLV-DL, having 2 strap-on boosters and placed a primary payload Microsat-R and a secondary payload of Kalamsat V2 in Sun-synchronous orbits.

PSLV-C44 launch

The PSLV-C44 was launched from the First Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 11:37:00 P.M. IST on 24 January 2019, following a 28-hour countdown that began at 07:37 P.M. IST on 23 January 2019.

Mission overview

  • Mass:
  • * Payload weight:
  • Overall height:
  • Propellant:
  • * Stage 1: Composite Solid
  • * Stage 2: Earth Storable Liquid
  • * Stage 3: Composite Solid
  • * Stage 4: Earth Storable Liquid
  • Propellant mass:
  • * Stage 1:
  • * Stage 2:
  • * Stage 3:
  • * Stage 4:
  • Altitude:
  • Maximum velocity:
  • Inclination: 96.567°
  • Azimuth: 140°
  • Period:
The PSLV C-44 rocket had four stages; each one was self-contained, with its own propulsion system, thereby capable of functioning independently. The first and third stages used composite solid propellants, while the second and fourth stage used earth-storable liquid propellants. It had a lift-off mass of and measured in height. It carried two satellites built by Defence Research and Development Organisation and Space Kidz India into orbit, weighing and respectively, bringing the total payload mass to.
The satellite Microsat-R was placed into a lower Sun-synchronous orbit of altitude and 96.575° inclination, meanwhile, the second satellite was placed with an experimental 4th stage into an orbit of altitude and 98.767°. The satellite was launched free of cost and was placed into the orbit after 2 subsequent rocket burn past Microsat-R release. It would later be destroyed in the Indian ASAT test on 27th March 2019.