The PSLV C53/DS-EO mission of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will be a significant accomplishment as it is the second commercial mission of the New Space India Limited (NSI). The countdown leading to the launch on June 30, 2022, at 18:02 hours IST has already commenced. It will be the 16th PSLV launch from the second launch pad, the 55th PSLV mission overall and the 15th mission using the PSLV-Core Alone type.
The Bengaluru-based startup Digantara's ROBust Integrating Proton Fluence Meter (ROBI), a Proton dosimeter payload, will also be flight tested on the PSLV flight, along with the Dhruva Space Satellite Orbital Deployer - (DSOD 1U), a technology demonstration payload. A four-stage, 44.4 m tall PSLV-C53 with a 228.433 T lift-off mass would launch the DS-EO satellite into an orbit with a semi-major axis of 6948.137 + 20 km, at a height of 570 km above the equator, with a low inclination of 100+ 0.20.
The three satellites are DS-EO, a 365 kg spacecraft, NeuSAR, a 155 kg satellite manufactured by Starec Initiative in the Republic of Korea, and Scoob-1, a 2.8 kg satellite from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), also in Singapore.
“While NeuSAR is Singapore's first tiny commercial satellite carrying a SAR payload, which can provide images day and night and in all weather circumstances, DS-EO has an Electro-Optic, Multi-Spectral payload with 0.5 m resolution imaging capability. The Student Satellite Series SCOOB-I (S3-I) satellite, developed by Singapore's NTU School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering's Satellite Research Centre (SaRC), is the first satellite in the series. The PS4 stage is used as an orbital platform for in-orbit scientific experiments during the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) activity. This is the first time the PS4 stage will orbit the earth as a stabilised platform,” explained Girish Linganna an aerospace and defence expert and the Director of ADD Engineering Components India Limited, an Indo- German Company.
He further pointed out that an exclusive NGC system is used to stabilise attitude; POEM gets its power from a Li-Ion battery and solar panels fitted around the PS4 tank. “It has dedicated control thrusters that are powered by Helium gas storage and navigates utilising four sun sensors, a magnetometer, gyros, and NavIC. With the telecommand functionality, it is functional,” added Linganna. Two payloads from Indian space startups Digantara and Dhruva Space are among the six payloads carried by POEM, which is made possible by IN-SPACe and NSIL.
Space experts point out that DS-EO carries an Electro-Optic, multi-spectral payload that will provide full-colour images for land classification, and serve humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs. NeuSAR is Singapore's first small commercial satellite carrying a SAR payload, which is capable of providing images day and night and under all weather conditions. SCOOB-I satellite is the first satellite in the Student Satellite Series (S3-I), a hands-on student training program from the Satellite Research Centre (SaRC) at Singapore's NTU School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
“As we work predominantly with students, I am excited that our launch vehicle is going to carry a student payload. After C44 where our payload went in the 4th platform again today the 4th play form of the rocket is going to be effectively used, this is going to open up more avenues for experiments by students. Launch cost is the most expensive one which is holding the student community from venturing into complex experiments but, if the 4th stage can be given for experimenting if not free at least at a meagre cost, then we can definitely get out-of-the-box designs and processes, the optimum from our student community and take our country’s students pride at the global arena,” observed Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO, Space Kidz India.