Context:  The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that it will launch the PSLV-C56 rocket carrying Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite and six other payloads on July 30. The launch will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 6:30 a.m. IST.

About the launch vehicle: PSLV-CA

• The PSLV-CA was manufactured by ISRO with the first launch on 2007-04-23.
• CA means “Core Alone”, model premiered on 23 April 2007.
• PSLV-CA has 15 successful launches and 0 failed launches with a total of 15 launches.
• The CA model does not include the six strap-on boosters used by the PSLV standard variant.
• The fourth stage of the CA variant has 400 kg less propellant when compared to its standard version.
• It currently has the capability to launch 1,100 kg to a 622 km Sun-synchronous orbit

TeLEOS-2 satellite:

• TeLEOS 2 is an Earth observation satellite that weighs 750kg.
• It has synthetic aperture radar technology that provides data at a resolution of 1 metre.
• The satellite was transported from Singapore to India in February.
• It was developed by ST Engineering.
• TeLEOS 2 will provide imagery that can be used for various applications, such as:
  • Hotspot monitoring and haze management.
  • Aviation accidents and search and rescue operations.

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)

• PSLV is a remarkable achievement of Indian space technology. It is a versatile and reliable rocket that can launch various types of satellites into different orbits. It has a four-stage design, with alternating solid and liquid propellants.
• The main objective of PSLV is to place Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into polar sun-synchronous orbits. These satellites are used for earth observation, disaster management, resource mapping and other applications.
• PSLV has also demonstrated its capability to launch multiple satellites in a single mission, as well as to inject satellites into geostationary and interplanetary orbits.

Try These MCQs

Ques 1: What is the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)?
a) A satellite used for weather forecasting
b) A satellite designed to study polar regions of the Earth
c) An Indian launch vehicle used to place satellites into polar orbits
d) A spacecraft used for interplanetary missions
Answer: c) An Indian launch vehicle used to place satellites into polar orbits

Ques 2: Which space agency is responsible for developing and operating the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle?
a) NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
b) ESA (European Space Agency)
c) ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
d) CNSA (China National Space Administration)
Answer: c) ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)

Ques 3: What is the primary advantage of using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle for satellite deployment?
a) It can carry heavier payloads compared to other launch vehicles.
b) It can reach higher orbits, enabling interplanetary missions.
c) It can launch satellites into orbits that pass over the Earth’s poles.
d) It requires a shorter launch preparation time, ensuring rapid deployment.
Answer: c) It can launch satellites into orbits that pass over the Earth’s poles.

Singapore’s earth observation satellite,Singapore’s earth observation satellite

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