ISRO To Launch PSLV-C56 Carrying Singapore’s DS-SAR and Six Other Satellites On July 30

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(Source: The Hindu, 07/25/23)

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Why in the news?

• Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that it will launch Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite along with six co-passenger satellites of Singapore, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 30.
• The New Space India Limited (NSIL) has procured PSLV-C56 to deploy the DS-SAR satellite.

DS-SAR Satellite

• According to ISRO the PSLV-C56 is configured in its core-alone mode, similar to that of C55.
• PSLV-C56 would launch DS-SAR, a 360 kg satellite into a Near-equatorial Orbit (NEO) at 5 degrees inclination and 535 km altitude.
• The DS-SAR satellite will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore.
• One of the notable features of the DS-SAR satellite is its capability to provide all-weather day and night coverage and it can perform imaging at a 1-meter resolution with full polarimetry.

Other co-passenger satellites

• VELOX-AM: A 23 kg technology demonstration microsatellite. VELOX-I is the first Singapore nanosatellite to operate in Low Earth's Orbit (LEO).
• ARCADE: Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer, an experimental satellite developed by Singapore Space Research agency
• SCOOB-II: A 3U nanosatellite with a technology demonstrator payload.
• NuLIoN: 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.
• ORB-12 STRIDER: It is a satellite developed under an International collaboration. ORB-12 Strider mission will host a variety of payloads for in-orbit testing and demonstration purposes

Foreign Satellite launches by ISRO

• As of April 2023, ISRO has launched 239 foreign satellites of 28 countries belonging to countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Finland, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UK, and the US.

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FAQs

MCQ

Question: With reference to NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), consider the following statements:

1. NewSpace India Limited is under the administrative control of the Department of Space (DOS).
2. It is responsible for the promotion and commercial exploitation of the products and services emanating from the Indian space program.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2