Bengaluru: The workhorse launcher of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) PSLV is scheduled to launch Brazilian Amazonia-1 and 20 Co-passenger satellites on February 28 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
PSLV-C51 is the 53rd mission and will, for the first time launch Amazonia-1 of Brazil, as primary satellite and 20 Co-passenger satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
The launch is tentatively scheduled at 1023 Hrs IST on February 28, 2021 subject to weather conditions, according to ISRO source.
PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 is the first dedicated commercial mission of state owned NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) the commercial arm of the Department of Space.
NSIL is undertaking this mission under a commercial arrangement with Spaceflight Inc. USA.
Amazonia-1 is the optical earth observation satellite of National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This satellite would further strengthen the existing structure by providing remote sensing data to users for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon region and analysis of diversified agriculture across the Brazilian territory.
The 20 co-passenger satellites include one from ISRO (INS-2TD), four from IN-SPACe (three UNITYsats from consortium of three Indian academic institutes and One Satish Dhawan Sat from Space Kidz India) and 15 from NSIL.