Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully placed
into orbit Brazil's earth observation satellite Amazonia-1. The Polar Satellite
Launch Vehicle-C51 (PSLV-C51) took off from the first launch pad at 10.24 a.m.
laden with 19 satellites including Amazonia-1.
At 10.24 a.m. the 44.4 metre tall PSLV-C51 rocket blasted off from the first
launch pad here laden with 19 satellites-foreign and Indian- and slowly rose-up
towards the skies with thick orange flame at its tail. The rocket slowly gained
speed as it went up while emitting a rolling thunder sound.
Seventeen minutes into its flight the rocket slung its primary passenger the
Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 - the first of the 19 satellites- into its intended
Sun Synchronous Orbit. Amazonia-1 is the optical earth observation satellite of
National Institute for Space Research (INPE).
This satellite would further strengthen the existing structure by providing
remote sensing data to users for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon region
and analysis of diversified agriculture across the Brazilian territory, Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.
With this India has slung 329 foreign satellites till date. If all goes well,
then India will end the mission orbiting a total of 342 foreign satellites, all
for a fee. India's first space mission for 2021 is one of the longest for a
PSLV rocket is expected to conclude 1 hour, 55 minutes and 7 seconds into its
flight. The rocketing is a fully commercial one of NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL).
The 18 co-passenger satellites include four from IN-SPACe (three UNITYsats from
consortium of three Indian academic institutes (Jeppiaar Institute of
Technology, Sriperumbudur, G.H.Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur and Sri
Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore), one Satish Dhawan
Sat from Space Kidz India) with an engraved picture of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi as well as Bhagavad Gita in a flash.
The remaining 14 satellites are Sindhu Netra, an Indian technology
demonstration satellite from Defence Research Development Organisation's (DRDO)
research centre Imarat, Hyderabad to identify suspicious ships and 13
satellites from the USA viz., SAI-1 NanoConnect-2, a technology demonstration
satellite and 12 SpaceBees satellites for two-way satellite communications and
data relay.
For the third time ISRO is using the PSLV rocket's DL variant that will have
two strap-on booster motors. In normal configuration the PSLV is a four
stage/engine expendable rocket powered by solid and liquid fuels alternatively.
Six booster motors will also be strapped on to the first stage to give higher
thrust during the initial flight moments.
But the PSLV rocket that flew on Sunday was the DL variant having only two
strap-booster motors. This rocket variant was used the first time to put the
Microsat R satellite into orbit on January 24, 2019.
The Indian space agency has PSLV variants with two and four strap-on motors,
larger PSLV-XL and the Core Alone variant without any strap-on motors. The
choice of the rocket to be used for a mission depends on the weight of the
satellite and the orbit where the satellite has to be orbited.
Be that as it may, the PSLV-C51 mission is one of longest ones. As per its
flight plan, the rocket will put the 19 satellites into Sun Synchronous Orbit
over a duration of 1 hour, 55 minutes and 7 seconds.
During its flight, the rocket's fourth stage engine will be cut off and
restarted a couple of times, the first one will be at 16 minutes into its
flight. Just over one hour into its flight the rocket's engine will be
restarted for about nine seconds before it is shut down again. After 1 hour, 49
minutes and 52 seconds the rocket's engine will be reignited for eight seconds
after which the 18 piggy back satellites will be put into orbit.
Read More: ISRO: In first mission of 2021, 18 satellites, Brazil's Amazonia to be launched today