July 30, 2023
India’s premier space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), achieved yet another milestone on Sunday as it successfully launched the PSLV-C56 carrying seven satellites, including the primary satellite DS-SAR and six co-passenger satellites. The launch took place from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, at 6.30 am.
This remarkable mission marks a significant step forward in the space partnership between India and Singapore. The Indian High Commission in Singapore expressed its delight, stating, “India-Singapore space partnership marks another milestone with the launch of 7 Singaporean satellites by Indian space agency ISRO today.”
The primary satellite, DS-SAR, is a cutting-edge Radar Imaging Earth Observation satellite, developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering. One of the key features of DS-SAR is its Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This advanced technology allows the satellite to provide all-weather day and night coverage, with the capability to image at an impressive 1-meter resolution at full polarimetry.
DS-SAR’s primary purpose is to support the satellite imagery requirements of various government agencies within Singapore. Additionally, ST Engineering will utilize it to offer multi-modal and higher responsiveness imagery and geospatial services to its commercial customers, further enhancing Singapore’s space capabilities.
The PSLV-C56 launch also featured six co-passenger satellites, all belonging to Singapore, further bolstering the nation’s presence in space. All seven satellites were precisely injected into their intended orbits, ensuring a successful mission outcome.
This commercial mission was undertaken by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for ST Engineering, representing a major step forward in space commerce and international collaboration. The successful execution of PSLV-C56 marks the 58th overall flight and the 17th using the Core Alone configuration for ISRO.
The upper stage of the PSLV-C56 rocket was intentionally placed in a lower orbit after deploying all the satellites, ensuring a shorter orbital life and minimising space debris.
The launch of these seven satellites cements India’s position as a reliable and capable partner in the global space industry. It also highlights ISRO’s prowess in satellite deployment and the successful commercial utilisation of space technologies.
With this achievement, ISRO not only advances its own capabilities but also strengthens the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India and Singapore in the field of space exploration and satellite technology. As both nations continue to explore new possibilities in space, this joint endeavor serves as a beacon of collaboration and mutual progress in the final frontier.
