| PSLV-C44 | |
| Upright: | 1.1 |
| Rocket: | PSLV-DL |
| Launch: | 24 January 2019, 18:07:00 UTC |
| Operator: | Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) |
| Pad: | Sriharikota, FLP |
| Outcome: | Success |
| Succession: | PSLV launches |
| Previous: | PSLV-C43 |
| Next: | PSLV-C45 |
The PSLV-C44 was the 46th mission of the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) 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.[1]
The PSLV-C44 was launched from the First Launch Pad (FLP) 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.[1] [2]
The PSLV C-44 rocket had four stages; each one was self-contained, with its own propulsion system, thereby capable of functioning independently.[4] The first and third stages used composite solid propellants, while the second and fourth stage used earth-storable liquid propellants.[3] It had a lift-off mass of and measured in height.[4] It carried two satellites built by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) 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°.[4] The satellite was launched free of cost and was placed into the orbit after 2 subsequent rocket burn past Microsat-R release.[5] [6] It would later be destroyed in the Indian ASAT test (Mission Shakti) on 27th March 2019.