Context:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch Singapore’s TeLEOS-2 satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Details
- About TeLEOS-2 Earth Observation Satellite:
- What are the launch vehicles used by ISRO?
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
Details:
- The TeLEOS-2 satellite launch will be conducted by the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- It will be a commercial mission facilitated by the NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), with TeLEOS-2 serving as the primary satellite and Lumelite-4 as a co-passenger satellite.
About TeLEOS-2 Earth Observation Satellite:
- TeLEOS-2 is a satellite that is designed for Earth Observation.
- It weighs 741 kg and is equipped with a synthetic aperture radar that can provide data in 1-meter resolution.
- Additionally, it has a high-resolution camera that can capture images with a ground resolution of up to one meter.
Objectives of TeLEOS-2:
- The primary objective of TeLEOS-2 is to provide high-resolution imagery of the Earth’s surface for various applications such as urban planning, disaster management, maritime safety, and environmental monitoring.
- It is expected to support Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative which aims to harness technology to improve the quality of life for citizens.
What are the launch vehicles used by ISRO?
| Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): | Since its initial launch in 1994, PSLV has served as ISRO’s primary rocket. However, compared to those deployed in the 1990s, today’s PSLV is significantly more advanced and powerful. The PSLV is the most dependable rocket that ISRO has employed to date, with 52 of its 54 flights being successful. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be fitted with liquid stages. It successfully launched two spacecraft that later travelled to the Moon and Mars, namely Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013. There are numerous variations of the two launch vehicles that ISRO currently utilises, the PSLV and GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle). |
| Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV): | The considerably more potent GSLV rocket is designed to lift heavier satellites farther into space. 18 missions have been completed by GSLV rockets to this point, four of them were unsuccessful. Lowering earth orbits may require satellites weighing 10,000 kg. The third stage of the GSLV Mk II is the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), and the Mk-III variants have rendered ISRO completely self-sufficient for launching its satellites. The European Arianne launch vehicle was previously utilised to carry its heavier satellites into orbit. |
| Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV): | SSLV is designed to provide affordable launch services for satellites up to 500 kg in response to the growing demand for small and micro-satellites around the world. It is intended to launch the indigenous EOS-03 earth observation satellite into orbit. |
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is a Central Public Sector Enterprise that was established in 2019 by the Department of Space (DoS) in India. Here are some key points about NSIL:
- It is the second commercial entity of the DoS after Antrix Corporation Limited, which was set up in 1992 to market the products and services of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- The mandate of NSIL is to transfer technology to the industry for producing commercially successful Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) spacecraft launchers.
- NSIL also outsources assembly of small satellites and the upcoming Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
- The objective of NSIL is to commercially exploit the research and development work done by ISRO centres and DoS constituents.
-Source: The Hindu
