The launch of ISRO's PSLV-C56 carrying Singapore's DS-SAR satellite, along with 6 co-passengers, from the first launch-pad of SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota on Sunday will be a significant milestone for ISRO. The DS-SAR satellite is developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering and it is scheduled for launch at 06.30am on Sunday.
The DS-SAR satellite is a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, which means it uses radar to create images of the Earth's surface. SAR satellites can operate in all weather conditions, day or night, and can penetrate clouds and fog to image the ground. This makes them ideal for a variety of applications, such as disaster response, land management, and maritime surveillance. The DS-SAR satellite will be placed into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometres. It will have a swath width of 50 kilometres and a resolution of 1 meter at full polarimetry. This means that it will be able to create detailed images of the Earth's surface at any time.
“The DS-SAR satellite will be used by the Singapore government for a variety of purposes, which include disaster response, to assess the damage caused by natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides. Due to the satellite's high-resolution images, it will also be used for land management as it has the capability to monitor land use, track deforestation, and identify illegal logging.
The satellite's images will be used to monitor shipping traffic, detect illegal fishing, and track potential threats to Singapore's borders. The images will also be used to support the Singapore government's security and defence operations,” explained Aerospace and Defence expert Girish Linganna.
The DS-SAR satellite is also expected to be used by commercial customers for a variety of applications like oil and gas exploration, agriculture and to monitor infrastructure. The satellite's images will be used to identify potential oil and gas fields; in agriculture, it will be used to monitor crop yields, detect pests and diseases, and plan irrigation.
The satellite's images will be used to monitor the condition of bridges, roads, and other infrastructure and will also be used to monitor deforestation, track climate change, and identify pollution hotspots.
The launch of the PSLV-C56 mission will be a significant milestone for the space programmes of India and Singapore. The mission will demonstrate the capabilities of the PSLV rocket and the latest technologies from both countries. “It will also be the first time that India has launched a satellite for Singapore. PSLV C56 refers to the fact that the launch vehicle will only be using its core stage and will not be using any of its strap-on boosters. This means that the vehicle will be able to carry a smaller payload, but it will also be more fuel-efficient and easier to operate. The PSLV C56 mission is configured in its core-alone mode because it is carrying a relatively small payload, the DS-SAR satellite. The DS-SAR satellite weighs only 360 kilograms, which is well within the capabilities of the PSLV's core stage. Using the core alone also allows ISRO to save on fuel and launch costs,” Linganna told THE WEEK.
The six co-passenger satellites that will be launched along with the DS-SAR satellite on the PSLV-C56 mission include VELOX-AM, a technology demonstration microsatellite developed by ISRO, designed to test new technologies for future microsatellites such as solar power systems, attitude control systems, and data communication systems. Besides this, there is ARCADE, an experimental satellite developed by the National University of Singapore (NUS). It is designed to study the coupling between the atmosphere and the ocean. The satellite will carry a number of instruments to measure the temperature, humidity, and winds of the atmosphere, as well as the temperature and salinity of the ocean.
There will also be SCOOB-II, a 3U nanosatellite developed by the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). It is designed to test new technologies similar to VELOX-AM.
Additionally, there will also be NuLIoN, an advanced 3U nanosatellite developed by NuSpace, designed to provide seamless IoT connectivity in both urban and remote locations. The satellite will carry a number of payloads to test new technologies for IoT connectivity, such as a high-throughput data communication system and a low-power sensor network.
There will be Galassia-2, a 3U nanosatellite developed by the Italian company D-Orbit. It is designed to provide Earth observation services. The satellite will carry a number of payloads to image the Earth's surface, such as a high-resolution camera and a multispectral camera. There will also be ORB-12 STRIDER, a satellite developed under an international collaboration between various organizations. It is designed to test new technologies for space exploration, such as a new type of propulsion system and a new type of communication system.
“Economically, India's foray into the international space business is a testament to its burgeoning capabilities and strategic vision in the global space arena," said Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication and launch of small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems.
Kesan added, "With each successful mission, India's space agency ISRO has gained international recognition, establishing itself as a reliable and cost-effective launch service provider. The launch of PSLV-C56 and DS-SAR exemplifies India's growing influence in the space industry, fostering meaningful partnerships with international stakeholders and attracting commercial satellite operators worldwide. This not only generates revenue for India but also fosters knowledge exchange and technological transfer, contributing to the nation's space economy's robust growth. With this launch, India's trajectory in the international space business is destined to soar, bringing prosperity and progress to our nation and beyond our atmosphere,” remarked Kesan.
