PSLV-C45 PS4 platform (AIS, APRS, ARIS)

After launching EMISAT in April 2019, the fourth stage of PSLV-C45 was turned into an orbital platform carrying three experiments: AIS, APRS and ARIS. It was the first PS4 stage fitted with solar cells for long-term power.

Re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 June 2024, according to the public satellite catalogue.

What it did

The stage hosted three payloads:

  • AIS (Automatic Identification System) from ISRO, which picked up messages broadcast by ships.
  • APRS (Automatic Packet Repeating System) from AMSAT India, which helped amateur radio operators track and share position data.
  • ARIS (Advanced Retarding Potential Analyzer for Ionospheric Studies) from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, which studied the structure and make-up of the ionosphere.

How it worked

On this mission PSLV's fourth stage (PS4) was modified to serve as a long-term platform in orbit for experiments. It was the first PS4 fitted with solar cells to power payloads over a long period.

Launch

PSLV-C45 lifted off from Sriharikota on 1 April 2019. About 3 hours after lift-off, after releasing EMISAT and 28 customer satellites, the fourth stage restarted twice and settled into a circular orbit of 485 km.

Fate

The public satellite catalogue records that the stage and its payloads re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 30 June 2024.

Sources

  1. AIS & APRS & ARIS & PSLV R/B — satellite catalogue record (NORAD 44104) — CelesTrak
  2. PSLV-C45 / EMISAT Mission — ISRO
  3. AIS/APRS/ARIS — Gunter's Space Page