Three satellites were launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The PSLV-C53, or Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, launched the satellites, all of which are from Singapore. It was previously announced by ISRO that this would be the PSLV’s 55th flight and the second specifically devoted commercial mission for its commercial subsidiary, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
According to news agency PTI, the three satellites are DS-EO, NeuSAR, and the 2.8 kilogramme Scoob-1 of Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Both of these spacecraft are owned by Singapore and were constructed by the Republic of Korea’s Starec Initiative.
While the NeuSAR is Singapore’s first small commercial satellite carrying a SAR payload capable of providing images 24 hours a day and in all weather circumstances, the DS-EO contains an electro-optic, multi-spectral payload with 0.5 m resolution imaging capability.
It serves as a stabilised platform for the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), which is orbiting the earth. According to ISRO, the POEM employs the defunct PS4 stage as an orbital platform. It will orbit the earth for the first time as a stabilised platform.
