PSLV-C51, ISRO launches 1st commercial mission

  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched 19 satellites as part of the first dedicated commercial PSLV mission for its commercial company NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). 
  • The company was set up in March 2019 under the Department of Space.
  • The PSLV-C51/Amazônia-1 mission carry Brazil’s Amazônia-1 as the primary payload, along with 18 other guest satellites, including five Indian satellites. 
  • It is ISRO’s first launch of 2021 and the 53rd flight of the PSLV.

DETAILS

  • The NSIL facilitated the mission through a commercial agreement with the American company Spaceflight Inc.
  • The rocket will fly in its DL configuration, with two solid strap-on boosters. 
  • PSLV-C44, launched in 2019, was the first flight to use PSLV-DL variant.
  • There will also be on board 12 pico satellites by Swarm Technologies, US, called SpaceBees (Basic Electronic Elements). 
  • These are the world’s smallest two-way communications satellites that are meant to provide and data relay. 

INDIAN SATELLITES

  • There are five Indian satellites flying on the rocket. 
  • The Satish Dhawan SAT (SDSAT) is a nano satellite that will study space weather, magnetosphere, radiation levels, as well as aid in long-range communication. 
  • It was built by Space Kidz India, which has also included an engraved picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the top panel of the satellite as well as Bhagavad Gita in a flash.
  • Space Kidz India said they put the picture of PM Modi to “show solidarity and gratitude for his Atmanirbhar initiative and Space privatisation”, and enabling ISRO facilities to open up to private players. 
  • The Bhagavad Gita was included to honor the “supreme epic of India” and the idea of ‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’.

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