ISRO launches PSLV-C51 carrying Amazonia and 18 other satellites

Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) first launch of 2021, PSLV-C51 carrying Amazonia-1 and 18 other satellites took off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota on Sunday morning.

PSLV-C51 rocket, which is the 53rd mission of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), launched the Amazonia-1 of Brazil as primary satellite and 18 co-passenger payloads from the first launch pad of the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district, about 100 kms from Chennai. These co-passenger satellites include Satish Dhawan Sat (SD SAT) from Chennai-based Space Kidz India (SKI).

Here is all you need to know about this mission:

• A picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been engraved on the top panel of this spacecraft. “This is to show solidarity and gratitude for his (PM’s) Aatmanirbhar initiative and space privatisation”, said SKI.
• The ‘Bagavad Gita’ is also being sent with the spacecraft after being placed in a SD (secured digital) card.
• PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 is the first dedicated commercial mission of ISRO’s commercial arm New Space India Limited (NSIL).
• NSIL has undertaken the mission under a commercial arrangement with Seattle, US-based satellite rideshare and mission management provider, Spaceflight Inc.
• The 637-kg Amazonia-1 will be the first Brazilian satellite to be launched from India.
• Amazonia-1 is the optical earth observation satellite of National Institute for Space Research (INPE)
• Amazonia-1 satellite would further strengthen the existing structure by providing remote sensing data to users for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon region and analysis of diversified agriculture across the Brazilian territory.
• The 18 co-passenger satellites are: four from ISRO’s Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (three UNITYsats from consortium of three Indian academic institutes and the SD SAT from SKI) and 14 from NSIL. SKI will also be sending 25,000 names on board SD SAT.