“Chhota Bheem”, India’s Best Earth-Imaging Satellite, Launched, with 30 satellites from eight different countries

NP NEWS 24 ONLINE – ISRO launched its PSLV-C43 rocket carrying India’s best-ever high-resolution earth imaging satellite HysIS (Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite). Besides this, the workhorse rocket also bears 30 small co-passenger satellites from eight different countries, mostly belonging to the United States.

The PSLV-CA (Core Alone) version (without its usual strap-on motors), standing 44.4 metres tall and weighing about 230 tonne, took off at 9.58 a.m. from the first launch pad here, spewing thick orange flame. The PSLV rocket — a four stage launch vehicle with alternating solid and liquid stages/engines — had the 380 kg HysIS and 30 others together weighing 261.5 kg as its luggage.

The 31 satellites will be launched in two different orbits by India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV C43) in its 45th flight. The Indian satellite, Hyper Spectral Imaging Satellite (HySIS), will help in monitoring pollution from industries, according to ISRO.

All these satellites will be placed in a 504 km orbit. While 23 satellites are from the US, the rest are from Australia, Canada, Columbia, Finland, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Spain. These satellites have been commercially contracted for launch through Antrix Corporation Limited, the commercial arm of ISRO.

“HysIS is an earth observation satellite developed by ISRO. It is the primary satellite of the PSLV-C43 mission. The satellite will be placed in 636 km polar sun synchronous orbit (SSO) with an inclination of 97.957 deg. The mission life of the satellite is 5 years,” ISRO said.

Post ejection of HysIS, the rocket’s fourth stage will be restarted at 59.65 minutes after the lift off. Later, the engine will be switched off and on twice before the final passenger is put into orbit about 112.79 minutes after the rocket’s lift off. The ISRO had earlier carried out a satellite mission for over two hours in January.