“The launch of PSLV-C56 carrying DS-SAR satellite [from Singapore], along with six co-passengers from the first launch-pad of the spaceport in Sriharikota is scheduled for 6.30am July 30. NSIL has procured the launch vehicle to deploy the DS-SAR satellite and six co-passengers,” Isro announced.
The DS-SAR satellite is developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering. “Once deployed and operational, it will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the government of Singapore. ST Engineering will use it for multi-modal and higher responsiveness imagery and geospatial services for their commercial customers,” an Isro statement issued late last week read.
The DS-SAR carries a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which allows the satellite to provide all-weather day and night coverage. It is capable of imaging at 1m-resolution at full polarimetry — that is, measurement of the angle of rotation of the plane of polarised light that results upon its passage through certain transparent materials.
According to Isro, the other satellites are: “VELOX-AM, a 23kg technology demonstration microsatellite; Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer (ARCADE), an experimental satellite; SCOOB-II , a 3U nanosatellite flying a technology demonstrator payload; NuLIoN by NuSpace, an advanced nanosatellite enabling seamless IoT connectivity in both urban & remote locations; Galassia-2, a nanosatellite that will be orbiting at low earth orbit and ORB-12 STRIDER, a satellite developed under an International collaboration.”
All the satellites are from Singapore, sources from NSIL confirmed to TOI.
