PSLV-C51 Launched Amazonia-1 & 18 Co-passenger Satellites

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the first satellite for the year 2021. The satellite called PSLV-C51 which also carried Amazonia-1 and 18 other satellites was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on February 28, 2021.

Highlights

PSLV-C51 rocket is the 53^rd mission of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The satellite in the first move launched the Amazonia-1 satellite of Brazil as the primary satellite. Later, 18 co-passenger payloads were launched from the first launch pad of the spaceport. The co-passenger satellites also comprise of the Satish Dhawan Sat (SD SAT) from the Space Kidz India (SKI) which is based in Chennai. After the launch, the Amazonia-1 got successfully separated from fourth stage the launch vehicle PSLV-C51 and injected into the orbit.

About the Mission

PSLV-C51/Amazonia is the first ever commercial Mission the commercial arm “New Space India Limited (NSIL)”. The NSIL undertook the mission after establishing a commercial arrangement with the Seattle, Spaceflight Inc. which is the mission management provider and the US-based satellite rideshare. Further, the Amazonia-1 is the first Brazilian Satellite that was launched from India.

What does the satellite carry?

The spacecraft carries the picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi featured on the top panel. This was done to show the solidarity & gratitude for the Aatmanirbhar initiative which was started by PM and space privatisation. The satellite also carries the names of ISRO chairperson, Dr K Sivan and Dr R Umamaheswaran, scientific secretary featured at the bottom panel. It is also carrying an electronic copy of the ‘Bhagavad Gita’. It has been placed in the secured digital card.

About Amazonia-1

It is the optical earth observation satellite which was developed by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). It will strengthen the existing structure since it will provide the remote sensing data to users in order to monitor the deforestation in Amazon region of Brazil. It will also analyse the diversified agriculture in the country.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2021