PSLV-C2 lifted off from SHAR Centre, Sriharikota today (May 26, 1999) at 11:52 am at the opening of the launch window. IRS-P4 was injected into orbit about 1010 seconds after lift-off followed by the injection of KITSAT-3 and DLR-TUBSAT, respectively. In the flight sequence, the 294 tonne, 44.4 m tall PSLV lifted off from the launch pad with the ignition of first stage motor along with four strap-on motors. The remaining two strap-on motors ignited 25 seconds later.

The first set of four strap-on motors separated as planned at 68 sec after lift-off and the second set of two strap-on motors separated at 90 sec. The first stage of PSLV separated at 112 sec and the second stage ignited immediately thereafter. The heat-shield was jettisioned at 156 sec as planned when the vehicle had reached an altitude of 125 km thus having cleared the dense atmosphere. The second stage separation and the third stage ignition occurred at 281 sec and the third stage separation occurred at 503 sec from after lift off. The last stage ignited after a long coasting of the vehicle at 585 sec at an altitude of 613 km and the fourth stage thrust cut-off occurred at 984 sec when the vehicle had reached an altitude of 719 km.

The first satellite to be separated from the fourth stage was IRS-P4 mounted on top at 1010 sec from lift-off. This was followed by a 40 deg yaw manoeuvre of the fourth stage and separation of KITSAT-3 which was mounted on the equipment bay. Subsequently, the fourth stage was further yaw-manoeuvred for another 40 deg and DLR-TUBSAT, mounted diagonally opposite to KITSAT-3 was injected into orbit. The sequence of separation was planned in such a way as to avoid any collision between the three satellites and the spent fourth stage.

Soon after injection into orbit, the two solar arrays on board IRS-P4 were automatically deployed by an on-board sequencer. This event was monitored by ISRO Telemetry, Tracking & Command Network (ISTRAC) station at Mauritius. The preliminary data received from IRS-P4 indicates normal performance of the satellite. IRS-P4, is now orbiting the earth with a period of 99.31 minute. The release of hold-down and tilt mechanisms of Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and initial testing of Multifrequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR) are planned during the 15th orbit, tomorrow (May 27, 1999). After detailed testing of various systems and fine orbital corrections, IRS-P4 is expected to become operational in about ten days.

As per the post launch sequence of events for KITSAT-3, the telemetry system on board is switched ON three and a half hours after separation and the first contact with the command ground station in Korea is expected at 7:30 pm IST this evening. Normal operations of KITSAT-3 is expected to commence in about four weeks. The first signals from DLR-TUBSAT are expected to be received at the University ground station in Berlin, Germany, also by 7:30 pm IST this evening.

PSLV is now used for launching Indian Remote Sensing satellites. Besides, it is now offered for launching satellites of other agencies either as auxiliary payloads or as main payloads depending upon the payload weight and capacity of the vehicle. Besides the two auxiliary payloads, KITSAT-3 and DLR-TUBSAT, launched by PSLV-C2 today, Antrix has already signed an agreement with VERHAERT Design and Development N.V, Belgium, for launching a small satellite, PROBA, in one of the follow-on flights of PSLV.

The PSLV-C2 launch from Sriharikota today was witnessed by Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Minister of HRD and Science & Technology Dr Murali Manohar Joshi, Minister of State for External Affairs Mrs Vasundhara Raje, Minister of State for Urban Development Mr B Dattatreya, Governor of Andhra Pradesh Mr C Rangarajan, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Mr N Chandrababu Naidu, Director-General R&D of the Ministry of Science & Technology in Republic of Korea, Dr Yoon Chung, Director-General of Satellite Research Center of the Republic of Korea Prof Soon Dal Choi and Ambassador of Germany in India, besides senior Government officials and scientists.

The successful launch of PSLV-C2 today, the fourth successive successful flight in the PSLV series, has demonstrated the maturity of Indian scientists to build operational launch vehicles to place Indian satellites in orbit from within the country. Today's flight also points to the ISRO entering into commercial launch services market having proved the capability to launch multiple satellites in a single flight.