ISRO to Launch Cartosat-3, 13 Commercial Nano Satellites

News: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch its earth imaging and mapping satellite Cartosat-3 along with 13 commercial nano satellites from the US, on November 25, 2019 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

Facts:

• The satellites would be launched by India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47 into a Sun Synchronous Orbit. PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with 6 solid strap-on motors).
• PSLV-C47 would also carry 13 commercial nano satellites from United States of America as part of commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Department of Space

About Cartosat-3

• Cartosat-3 satellite is a third-generation agile advanced satellite having high-resolution imaging capability.
• Cartosat-3 is a more improved version from the previous Cartosat series with advanced features such as adaptive optics, acousto optical devices, in-orbit focusing using MEMs and large area-light weight mirrors and advanced sense with a high-quality resolution.
• Potential uses of the Cartosat-3 satellite include weather mapping, cartography or army defence, and strategic applications.

Additional Information:

Sun synchronous Orbits: These are polar orbits are synchronous with the Sun. Thus, it passes over the same part of the earth at the same time of the day.  A satellite in a sun synchronous orbit are usually at an altitude of between 600 and 800 km. Weather monitoring and spy satellites are usually placed in this orbit.

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):

• It is an indigenously-developed expendable launch system of the ISRO. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
• It comes in the category of medium-lift launchers with a reach up to various orbits, including the Geo Synchronous Transfer Orbit, Lower Earth Orbit, and Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit.

New Space India Limited (NSIL):

• It was set up in March 2019. It is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), under the administrative control of Department of Space (DOS).
• The NSIL has been set up to meet the increasing demands of Indian space programmes and to commercially exploit the emerging global space market.
• The main functions of NSIL are:
  • Manufacture of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in collaboration with Private Sector,
  • production of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) through Indian Industry,
  • production and marketing of Space based products and services, including launch and application,
  • Transfer of technology developed by ISRO Centres and constituent units of DOS and
  • Marketing spin-off technologies and products/services, both in India and abroad.