The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C56) carrying carrying Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite along with six co-passengers satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota at at 6:31 am on Sunday (July 30).
The PSLV-C56 is configured in its core-alone mode, similar to the successful PSLV-C55 mission launched in April 2023. It would launch DS-SAR, a 360 kg satellite into a Near-equatorial Orbit (NEO) at 5 degrees inclination and 535 km altitude.
Primary satellite got separated
ISRO said that around 23 minutes after lift-off, the primary satellite got separated and it was followed by six other co-passenger satellites, which were deployed into the intended orbits sequentially,
On the successful launch of the satellites, ISRO said, "PSLV-C56/DS-SAR Mission: The mission is successfully accomplished. PSLV-C56 vehicle launched all seven satellites precisely into their intended orbits. Thanks to @NSIL_India and Singapore, for the contract."
ISRO chief S Somanath said that the the primary satellite DS-SAR and 6 co-passenger satellites have been successfully placed in the right orbit. "Congratulations, PSLV-C56 carrying seven satellites including the primary satellite DS-SAR and 6 co-passenger satellites have been successfully placed in the right orbit," said Somanath.
This ISRO PSLV-C56 mission is being undertaken by its commercial arm NewSpace India Limited. Today's mission is the 58th flight of PSLV and using the 17th vehicle with Core Alone Configuration.
ISRO scientists to perform unique experiment in PSLV-C56 mission
After the successful launch of the Singaporean satellites, the ISRO scientists will attempt a unique experiment using the fourth stage of the PSLV-C56 rocket. The scientists in today's mission will try to place the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket in a lower orbit.
According to ISRO, after injecting all the Singapore satellites into the intended orbit at an altitude of about 536 km, the upper stage of the rocket will be placed in lower orbit to ensure its reduced orbital life at an altitude of about 300 km. "PS4 (fourth stage) will be de-orbited to Low Earth circular orbit in a 300x300 km, using left out propellants to reduce orbital life of spent PS4 stage," ISRO said.
In April, during the launch of PSLVC55 mission in April, scientists successfully performed another unique experiment where the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket was utilised as an orbital platform to carry out scientific experiments using the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) in the rocket.
High Commission of India in Singapore on the launch of PSLV rocket said that India-Singapore space partnership marks another milestone with the launch of 7 Singaporean satellites.
DS-SAR satellite
The DS-SAR satellite is developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering. Once deployed and operational, it will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore. ST Engineering will use it for multi-modal and higher responsiveness imagery and geospatial services for their commercial customers.
DS-SAR carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This allows the DS-SAR to provide for all-weather day and night coverage, and is capable of imaging at 1m-resolution at full polarimetry.
The PSLV-C56 also carries six co-passenger satellites are: VELOX-AM, a 23 kg technology demonstration microsatellite; ARCADE Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer (ARCADE), an experimental satellite; SCOOB-II, a 3U nanosatellite flying a technology demonstrator payload; NuLIoN by NuSpace, an advanced 3U nanosatellite enabling seamless IoT connectivity in both urban and remote locations; Galassia-2, a 3U nanosatellite that will be orbiting at low earth orbit; and ORB-12 STRIDER, satellite is developed under an International collaboration.
Earlier on July 14, ISRO had successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3, India’s third moon mission, on board the LVM3 launch vehicle.
Also Read: ISRO to launch PSLV-C56: Date, time, where and when to watch and other details
