PSLV-C51 successfully launches Brazil’s Amazonia-1, 18 co-passenger satellites
Sriharikota, Feb 28 (Agency) India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C51 successfully launched Brazil’s optical earth observation satellite Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passenger satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, here on sunday. PSLV-C51 lifted off from the First Launch Pad of SDSC SHAR at 1024 hrs as planned.
After a flight of about 17 minutes, the 637 kg Amazonia-1 was injected into its intended orbit and in the succeeding 1 hour 38 minutes, all the 18 co-passenger satellites got successfully separated from the PSLV in a predetermined sequence. Addressing the scientists after the successul mission, ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan congratulated team ISRO for precise injection of Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passenger satellites. Talking about the primary satellite, Amazonia-1, he said “India and ISRO feel extremely proud and honoured to launch the first satellite designed, integrated and operated by Brazil. Hearty congratulations to the Brazilian team for this achievement.’’ Mr Marcos Cesar Pontes, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Brazil, congratulated the ISRO team for today’s successful launch. “Amazonia-1 is an important mission for Brazil which also marks beginning of a new era for satellite development in the country” he said.
He emphasized the importance of partnership between India and Brazil and was looking forward to further strengthen ties with India. Amazonia-1 is the optical earth observation satellite of National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This satellite will provide remote sensing data to users for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon region and analysis of diversified agriculture across the Brazilian territory. PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 is the first dedicated commercial mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Government of India company under Department of Space. Mr Narayanan G, Chairman and Managing Director, NSIL thanked INPE, Brazil for their faith in ISRO and NSIL’s strength and M/s Spaceflight Inc. USA for facilitating this mission. He also acknowledged the other auxiliary payloads flown onboard this mission and wished all the customers to achieve their desired goals. “I also thank team ISRO and DOS for their clockwork precision” he said. The 18 co-passenger satellites included four from IN-SPACe and 14 from NSIL.
The 14 satellites from NSIL carried were the commercial satellites from India (1) and USA (13). Of the four satellites from IN-SPACe, three were UNITYsats designed and built as a joint development by Jeppiaar Institute of Technology, G.H.Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur and Sri Shakti Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore and one was Satish Dhawan Sat (SDSAT) from Space Kidz India. Dr Sivan appreciated the efforts of the teams in building the satellites. “These satellites were fruition of the new space reforms announced by the Union Government wherein ISRO promoted and handheld the teams. I’m very sure this mission will enthuse other academic institutions and industries to build satellites.” PSLV-C51 is the 53rd flight of PSLV and third flight of PSLV in ‘DL’ configuration (with 2 strap-on motors). This was the 78th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. With today’s launch, a total of 342 customer satellites from 34 countries were placed in orbit by PSLV.