The countdown to the next program of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has begun. The countdown of PSLV-C51 / Amazonia-1 mission from Satish Dhawan Space located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh has been started today at 08:54 on 27th February. The PSLV-C51 rocket will be the 53rd mission of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). Through this, the Brazilian Amazonia-1 will be launched. Amazonia-1 is the primary satellite and along with 18 other satellites will also be launched from Sriharikota, about 100 km from Chennai. ISRO has given information about this. According to the information given by ISRO, it will be launched tomorrow at 10:24 on the morning of 28 February. However, launching will depend on the prevailing weather conditions.
ISRO’s first commercial mission of unit NSIL
PSLV-C51 / Amazonia-1 is the first dedicated commercial mission of New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO. NSIL is carrying out this mission under a commercial arrangement with American satellite rideshare and mission management provider Spaceflight Inc. Amazonia-1 is the optical Earth Observation Satellite of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This satellite will help in monitoring the deforestation (harvesting of forests) in the Amazon region and in the analysis of diversified agriculture in the Brazilian territory. Of the 18 satellites being sent with this, four are from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authority Center and 14 from NLIL.
ISRO is also preparing for GSAT-1
With the PSLV-C-51 mission, ISRO is also preparing for the launch of the Earth-monitoring satellite GSAT-1. It will be launched through GSLV-F10 rocket. The satellite was to be sent into space on March 5, 2020, but it was postponed a day ahead of schedule due to technical reasons. According to the information, it can now be launched from the Sriharikota Space Center in late March or early April. ‘JISAT-1’ will continue to monitor the Indian subcontinent.
