July 25, 2023
India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is gearing up for another groundbreaking commercial space mission in collaboration with New Space India Ltd (NSIL). The mission, named PSLV-C56, is scheduled to take off on July 30, deploying a total of seven satellites, including Singapore’s DS-SAR, as part of its payload.
The PSLV-C56 will be configured in its core-alone mode, which is similar to its predecessor, PSLV-C55. The rocket, known for its reliability and efficiency, has been chosen to carry a diverse range of satellites on this crucial mission.
Among the satellites aboard the PSLV-C56, the primary payload is Singapore’s DS-SAR (Dedicated Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite. This sophisticated satellite is equipped with cutting-edge synthetic aperture radar technology, which enables high-resolution imaging capabilities and all-weather monitoring.
The six additional satellites encompass a variety of technology demonstrators and experimental payloads. Velox-Am and Scoob-II are two technology demonstrator satellites that aim to showcase novel concepts and advancements in space technology. Additionally, the mission includes the Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer (Arcade) satellite, which will study atmospheric dynamics and coupling processes.
Furthering India’s efforts to establish itself as a prominent player in the global space market, the PSLV-C56 mission will also carry the NuLIon nanosatellite. Developed by a private entity, NuLIon is expected to contribute to scientific research and communication applications.
The final two secondary payloads on the mission are Galassia-2 and Orb-12 Strider, although specific details regarding their purposes have not been disclosed at this time.
Notably, this commercial space mission comes on the heels of ISRO’s recent launch of Chandrayaan-3, its third moon mission. Chandrayaan-3 aims to achieve a lunar landing in the south pole region and is part of India’s broader strategy to expand its share in the commercial satellite launch market.
India has set ambitious goals for its space sector, envisioning a $13 billion space economy by 2025, with satellite launch services and applications expected to account for over 36% of this projected value. The NSIL is playing a crucial role in achieving this target, and in addition to its collaboration with ISRO on PSLV missions, the organization is actively developing the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) light rocket launcher.
The SSLV is designed to provide quick turnaround times between missions, on-demand services, and independence from shared rides with other satellites. By offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for deploying small satellites in low-earth orbit (LEO), the SSLV aims to capture a substantial share of the growing small satellite launch market.
With India’s ambitious vision and the continuous advancements made by ISRO and NSIL, the country is poised to carve out a significant presence in the global space domain, potentially reshaping the landscape of the space economy and exploration. As the world watches the PSLV-C56 mission unfold on July 30, anticipation is high for yet another successful launch and a leap forward for India’s space ambitions.
