PSLV-C43 launch highlights: Mission successful, all 31 satellites have been placed successfully in orbit

The PSLV launcher on the first launch pad at Sriharikota. Image courtesy: ISRO[/caption]The live stream may include more than a few unfamiliar terms and abbreviations, so here's a primer with some of them:PSLV - Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, India's most reliable rocket.HySIS - An satellite designed and built by ISRO, the 'Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite' or HySIS, is among many Earth observation satellites being launched today. It is the only Indian satellite onboard PSLV-CA in the PSLV-C43 missionCA - A PSLV rocket variant without strap-on motors is called the PSLV-CA, where CA stands for Core Alone. The core-only configuration of the PSLV that doesn't have the 6 additional strap-on motors that other PSLVs like the -G and -XL do.CubeSat - an easily configurable nanosatellite platform that was originally developed for academic purposes.INS - ISRO Nano Satellite, an indigenous standard similar to the CubeSatSDSC - Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India's main rocket launching facility. India still launches sounding rockets from its first launch facility, Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS).SHAR - Sriharikota High Altitude Range, the particular facility in SDSC that launches rockets. Often used interchangeably with SDSC.FLP - First Launch Pad, the launch pad being used for the PSLV-C37 mission. There are two active launch pads at SDSC, and a third one is planned.SSO - Sun-Sychronous Orbit is an orbit where satellites pass over a point at the same time every day. This orbit is particularly useful for imaging the earth, as it offers consistent lighting across many passes. A mid morning pass is ideal as it has the least amount of shadows.ISRO - Indian Space Research OrganisationAntrix - The commercial arm of Isro, responsible for getting marketing India's launch services. Antrix negotiated the deals to get the 101 foreign satellites on board. The story is part of a series on the PSLV-C43 mission, of which there are more:

• ISRO PSLV-C43 mission launch today: When and where to watch the launch of HySIS and 30 other satellites
• ISRO PSLV-C43 mission launch: What HySIS and the 30 other small satellites onboard are designed to do
• ISRO's PSLV-CA: The lightest of the PSLV launchers that will put HySIS, 30 other satellites in orbit today
• ISRO PSLV-C43 mission completed with HySIS and 30 foreign satellites successfully launched into low-Earth orbit