Chennai: Kalamsat, the world’s smallest satellite built by a student start-up based in Chennai, will be the first satellite that will be powered by the last stage of new variant of PSLV rocket which will be launched 24 January from Sriharikota.
If the PSLV-C44 launch is successful, ISRO will become the first space agency in the world whose rocket will not only be a satellite launcher but will also double as a platform for space experiments.
ISRO chairman K Sivan said, “PSLV-C44 is a new variant of PSLV whose last stage PS-4, which usually becomes dead after ejecting the primary satellite, will remain active for six months. This rocket will also carry Microsat-R belonging to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).”