ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organisation, is set to launch the DS-SAR satellite along with six co-passenger satellites on the PSLV-C56 rocket. The launch is scheduled to take place at 6.30 am on Sunday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The DS-SAR satellite is the primary satellite for the mission and is part of a dedicated commercial mission for ST Engineering, a Singapore-based company. Developed in partnership with the Government of Singapore and ST Engineering, the DS-SAR satellite is an Earth observation satellite equipped with a Radar Imaging payload. It will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore.
Alongside the DS-SAR satellite, there will be six co-passenger customer satellites from Singapore. All the satellites will be injected into a 535 km circular orbit with a 5-degree orbital inclination. This launch marks the 58th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the 17th flight of the PSLV in Core Alone configuration.
Upon successfully deploying all the satellites, the upper stage of the rocket will be placed in a lower orbit to reduce its orbital life. The launch will take place from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
The DS-SAR satellite carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This payload enables the satellite to provide all-weather day and night coverage, with imaging capabilities at a resolution of 1 meter at full polarimetry.
ST Engineering, the commercial customer of the DS-SAR satellite, will utilize it for multi-modal and higher responsiveness imagery and geospatial services. The launch of PSLV-C56 and the deployment of the DS-SAR satellite will further enhance India’s presence in the space industry and strengthen its collaboration with international partners.
With the launch of the DS-SAR satellite and the accompanying co-passenger satellites, ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and satellite technology. This mission marks another significant milestone in India’s space journey and highlights the country’s capabilities in delivering advanced satellite solutions for commercial and scientific purposes.
The launch of PSLV-C56 is expected to attract global attention and solidify India’s position as a leading player in the field of satellite launches. As the country’s space agency, ISRO remains committed to expanding its capabilities and pushing the boundaries of space science and technology.
