PSLV-C51, the first dedicated launch by NSIL

Category
Science & Technology
Published
8th Mar, 2021

Context

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C51 successfully launched Amazonia-1 along with 18 co-passenger satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.

About

What is Amazonia-1?

Amazonia-1 is the optical earth observation satellite of National Institute for Space Research (INPE).
This satellite will provide remote sensing data to users for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon region and analysis of diversified agriculture across the Brazilian territory.

Key-highlights of the launch

The 18 co-passenger satellites onboard PSLV-C51 includes four from IN-SPACe and fourteen from NSIL.
The fourteen satellites from NSIL carried were the commercial satellites from India (1) and USA (13).
This was the 78th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

The Launch Vehicle

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India.
It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
After its first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India.
PSLV-C51 is the 53rd flight of PSLV and 3rd flight of PSLV in 'DL' configuration (with 2 strap-on motors).
Also, with this current launch, the total number of customer satellites from foreign countries placed in orbit by PSLV is 342 satellites from 34 countries.

About NSIL

PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 is the first dedicated commercial mission of New Space India Limited (NSIL), a Government of India company under Department of Space.
It was established in 2019 under the administrative control of Department of Space and the Company Act 2013.