# PSLV-C34

PSLV-C34 was the 36th mission of the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) program and 14th mission of PSLV in XL configuration. The PSLV-C34 successfully carried and deployed 20 satellites in the Sun-synchronous orbit. With a launch mass of 320,000 kilograms (710,000 lb) and payload mass of 1,288 kilograms (2,840 lb), the C34 set a new record of deploying the maximum number of satellites by Indian Space Research Organisation in a single mission. The PSLV-C34 carried One Cartosat-2 satellite, SathyabamaSat (satellite from Sathyabama University, Chennai), Swayam (satellite from College of Engineering, Pune) & 17 other satellites from United States, Canada, Germany & Indonesia.

## Mission parameters

* Mass:
** Total liftoff weight: 320,000 kilograms (710,000 lb)
** Payload weight: 1,288 kilograms (2,840 lb)
* Overall height: 44.4 metres (145.7 ft)
* Propellant:
** Stage 1: Solid HTPB based
** Stage 2: Liquid UH 25 + N$_2$O$_4$
** Stage 3: Solid HTPB based
** Stage 4: Liquid MMH + MON-3
* Altitude: 526.877 kilometres (327 mi)
* Maximum velocity: 7,606.61 metres per second (24,956 ft/s) (recorded at time of Cartosat-2 separation)
* Inclination: 97.48°
* Period: 26 minutes 30 seconds
Source:

## Launch

PSLV-C34 was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 09:26 IST on 22 June 2016. The PSLV carried total 20 satellites including the primary payload Cartosat-2C. Cartosat-2C was placed in low Earth orbit at 9:44 IST. The entire mission lasted 26 minutes and 30 seconds. The PSLV-C34 is a more advanced, expendable version of the rocket used to launch the Indian Mars Orbiter in 2014.

## Mission milestones

The mission marked:
* 36th flight of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
* 14th flight of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in XL configuration.
* Record number of satellites carried on a single flight by ISRO.
Sources:

### Record launch

On 28 April 2008, by placing 10 satellites on PSLV-C9 (PSLV-CA), Indian Space Research Organisation created a world record for the highest number of satellites launched in a single mission. This record was broken by NASA in 2013 (by launching 29 satellites) and was further improved by ISRO when they launched 104 satellites. PSLV-C34 launch was the biggest launch (in terms of number of satellites) by ISRO until PSLV-C37.

## Payload

PSLV-C34 carried and deployed total 20 satellites. Following are the details of the payload.
| Country | Name | Nos | Mass | Type | Objective |
| Canada | M3MSat | 1 | 85 kg | Microsatellite technology demonstration | Study of AIS from Low Earth orbit. |
| Canada | GHGSat-D | 1 | 25.5 kg | Earth observation microsatellite | Measuring atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases. |
| | BIROS | 1 | 130 kg | Earth observation microsatellite | Remote sensing of high-temperature events. |
| India | Cartosat-2C | 1 | 727.5 kg | Earth observation satellite | Primary payload. For LIS & GIS uses. |
| India | SathyabamaSat | 1 | 01.5 kg | Earth observation nanosatellite | Collect data on greenhouse gases. |
| India | Swayam | 1 | 01 kg | Earth observation nanosatellite | To provide point-to-point messaging services to HAM community. |
| | LAPAN-A3 | 1 | 120 kg | Earth observation microsatellite | For land use, natural resource and environment monitoring. |
| USA | SkySat Gen2-1 | 1 | 110 kg | Earth observation microsatellite | Capable of capturing sub-meter resolution imagery and High-definition video. |
| USA | Flock-2P | 12 | 04.7 kg | Earth observation nanosatellites | Earth imaging. |
* India
* Science
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* Spaceflight