On Sunday, July 30, 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved yet another successful mission by launching the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C56) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The PSLV-C56 Rocket was carrying a total of seven satellites, including Singapore’s DS-SAR, a Radar Imaging Earth Observation Satellite, along with six co-passenger satellites.
The launch took place at 6:31 AM, and the PSLV-C56 was configured in its core-alone mode, similar to a previously successful mission, PSLV-C55, launched in April 2023. The DS-SAR satellite, weighing 360 kg, was deployed into a Near-equatorial Orbit (NEO) at 5 degrees inclination and 535 km altitude .
The primary satellite, DS-SAR, was successfully separated around 23 minutes after lift-off, followed by the deployment of the six co-passenger satellites into their intended orbits sequentially. ISRO confirmed the successful accomplishment of the mission, with all seven satellites precisely placed into their intended orbits .
DS-SAR, developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering, is equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This SAR technology allows DS-SAR to provide all-weather day and night coverage and is capable of imaging at an impressive 1-meter resolution with full polarimetry [2][3].
The DS-SAR satellite will be utilized to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore. Additionally, ST Engineering will use it to offer their commercial clients multi-modal and more responsive geospatial services.
In addition to DS-SAR, the PSLV-C56 carried six co-passenger satellites. These satellites included VELOX-AM, a 23 kg technology demonstration microsatellite; ARCADE Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer (ARCADE), an experimental satellite; SCOOB-II, a 3U nanosatellite with a technology demonstrator payload; NuLIoN by NuSpace, an advanced 3U nanosatellite enabling seamless IoT connectivity in both urban and remote locations; Galassia-2, another 3U nanosatellite that will orbit at low earth orbit; and ORB-12 STRIDER, a satellite developed under international collaboration .
The specialised PSLV-C56 mission is being carried out by New Space India Ltd, the ISRO’s commercial division. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has earned its title as the “workhorse of ISRO” due to its consistent success in delivering various satellites into low earth orbits.
This successful launch marks yet another significant achievement for ISRO in its ongoing space exploration endeavors. SAR technology, such as the one used in DS-SAR, has a wide range of applications, including remote sensing, mapping of Earth’s surfaces, topography, oceanography, glaciology, geology, and monitoring civil infrastructure stability.
As ISRO continues to make strides in the field of space exploration and satellite technology, it reaffirms India’s position as a prominent player in the global space community.