The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its third generation earth imaging and mapping satellite CARTOSAT-3 along with 13 other nano-satellites from the US into space from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO Luanches CARTOSAT 3, US Satellites into Space
The PSLV-C47 will lift off carrying fourteen satellites on 27 November at 9.28 am IST from ISRO’s launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. It was first scheduled to launch on 25 November but it was postponed for reasons unknown.
ISRO chief Dr K Sivan said, “I am happy that PSLV-C47 injected precisely in the orbit with 13 other satellites. Cartosat-3 is highest resolution civilian satellite. We have 13 missions up to March, 6 large vehicle missions and 7 satellite missions.”
The launch will enhance India’s ability in high-resolution imaging and also reinforce India as a global launch destination for small satellites using its workhorse rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the space agency on the successful launch of Cartosat-3 via tweet. He tweeted, “I heartily congratulate the entire ISRO team on yet another successful launch of PSLV-C47 carrying indigenous Cartosat-3 satellite and over a dozen nano satellites of USA.”
13 Other Nano Satellites from Sriharikota
Earlier on Tuesday, ISRO took to Twitter to announce the 16-hour countdown to the launch of the satellites and said, “PSLV-C47 standing tall at the launch pad in Sriharikota. Less than 16 hours for launch. Stay tuned …”
Reportedly, PSLV-C47 on its 49th mission would carry CARTOSAT-3 along with 13 commercial nano-satellites from the United States. CARTOSAT-3 is a third-generation agile advanced satellite having high-resolution imaging capability.
The CARTOSAT-3, which has an overall mass of over 1,600 kilograms, will address the increased users’ demands for large-scale urban planning, rural resource, and infrastructure development, coastal land use, and land over. PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV in the ‘XL’ configuration (with six solid strap-on motors).
The 13 commercial nano satellites from the United States are being carried as part of the commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), Department of Space. Among the 13 nano-satellites are FLOCK-4P, 12 in numbers, with mission objective of earth observation, and one satellite named MESHBED, whose mission objective is a communication testbed.
ISRO said that the Wednesday’s launch would be the 74th launch vehicle mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The mission life of CARTOSAT-3 would be for five years.
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