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The 62-and-half-hour countdown for the PSLV-C28/DMC3 mission commenced today at 07:28 hours (IST).
On Tuesday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro's) Launch Authorisation Board (LAB) gave its nod for the July 10 launch. Officials said that the Mission Readiness Review (MRR) committee and Launch Authorisation Board (LAB) too have cleared the countdown.
Isro's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL variant will carry five British satellites from Sriharikota space station, near Chennai.
Of the five British satellites, together weighing around 1,440 kg, three are identical DMC3 optical earth observation satellites weighing 447 kg.
The British satellites will be put into a 647-km sun-synchronous orbit. Of the other two satellites, CBNT-1, weighing 91 kg, is an optical earth observation technology demonstration microsatellite. The De-OrbitSail weighs 7 kg. Isro said that this is an experimental nano satellite for demonstration of large thin membrane sail and drag deorbiting.
The three DMC3 and the CBNT-1 satellites are built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. The De-OrbitSail is built by Surrey Space Centre.
