ISRO Launches IIT Bombay’s ‘Pratham’ in Orbit

Bringing the long-standing dream of IIT Bombay into reality, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched microsatellite ‘Pratham’ into space on Monday morning. The launch came after 8 years of its inception involving over 100 students. 

Designed by the students of IIT Bombay, the satellite will be a big asset for our country, as it will help in issuing Tsunami warnings in advance, eliminating errors in GPS communication and carrying out scientific studies.

Pratham was launched by a 4-stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The satellite was lifted off at 9:12 am and was ejected at 9:30 am on September 26. The satellite weighs nearly 10 Kg and has been placed at an altitude of 720 km.

Designed to fit within a cube of side 30cm, the satellite was the brainchild of Saptarshi Bandyopadhyay and Shashank Tamaskar who were studying aerospace engineering at IIT Bombay. The satellite project was funded by IIT-B and was tested by ISRO early this month.

Speaking on the occasion, a student of IIT-B said, “It is a very special moment for us to see our microsatellite lifted off”. The students are excited for locating the satellite later at a nearby ground station at Atharva College of Engineering, Mumbai. 

Apart from Pratham, ISRO also launched PISAT satellite designed by the students of PES University, Bengaluru. This satellite weighs 5.25Kg and will click pictures of Earth from outer space.

ISRO has launched a total of eight satellites on Monday in two different orbits from a single rocket. The successful launch has created history as it was ISRO’s longest and most difficult launch mission ever.

Appreciating the organization, PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “Our space scientists keep scripting history”.