ISRO to launch PSLV-C54-EOS06 on November 26

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Days after lifting off India’s first privately-built rocket from Sriharikota, Isro is gearing up to launch its PSLV-C54-EOS06 mission that will carry Oceansat-3 satellite for ocean observation and also eight nano-satellites, including one developed by Bhutan scientists, from the Indian spaceport at 11.56 am on November 26.

The eight nano-satellites include those developed by Indian startups — India’s first private earth imaging satellite ‘Anand’ developed by Bengaluru-based space startup Pixxel and Thybolt-1 and Thybolt-2 satellites of Hyderabad-based startup Dhruva Space.

Switzerland’s four Astrocast satellites from Spaceflight US are also among the eight nano satellites that will piggyback on Isro’s primary payload Oceansat-3.

Oceansat-3 is the third in its set of ocean observation satellites that are part of Isro’s Oceansat program. It is a multi-sensor observation satellite, expected to operate until 2027 and its objectives are gathering ocean colour data, sea surface temperature measurements and wind vector data.

BhutanSat (aka INS-2B) is part of the Bhutan space programme being supported by Isro to promote India’s space diplomacy. India had earlier set up an earth station in Bhutan to help it downlink and track satellite signals to give fillip to its communication and broadcasting sectors.

Space startup Pixxel India has planned a vast constellation of earth-imaging satellites that would continuously monitor every part of the world and beam high-resolution imagery and other data that can be used for a variety of applications related to climate change, agriculture, and urban planning.

‘Anand’ is the first of the series of satellites to be launched for the Firefly constellation programme. The PSLV-C54 is the 56th mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. (The Times of India)