Article Posted on : - Jul 13, 2011

BANGALORE (PTI): The 53-hour countdown for the July 15 launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17) carrying India's communication satellite GSAT-12, from Sriharikota began Wednesday.

The mission was cleared by the Launch Authorisation Board in its meeting at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota's space spot in Andhra Pradesh Tuesday.

The countdown for the PSLV launch at 4.48 pm commenced at 11:48 am Wednesday, an ISRO release said.

During the countdown, propellant-filling operations of the liquid propellant second stage (PS2) and fourth stage (PS4) of the launch vehicle will be carried out.

Mandatory checks on the launch vehicle and spacecraft, including charging of batteries and pressurisation of propellant tanks will be performed.

Readiness of various ground systems such as tracking radar systems and communication networks will also be checked.

PSLV-C17 will launch GSAT-12 satellite into a sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit of 284 km perigee (closest point to earth) and 21,000 km apogee (farthest point to earth).

GSAT-12 communication satellite, weighing 1410 kg with 12 Ext-C Band transponders, will augment communication services in the country, the release said.