PSLV-C55 Mission

PSLV-C55 Mission

 

Context:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which is set to fly the Polar Satellite fly Vehicle C55 (PSLV-C55) mission on April 22, will conduct scientific experiments in orbit by utilising the spent PS4 (PSLV’s fourth and final stage) as an orbital platform. 

 

Points to Ponder:

  • On April 22, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the PSLV-C55 mission, which will conduct scientific experiments using the expended PS4 as an orbital platform.
  • The principal satellite for the project is the TeLEOS-2 satellite, which is being created in collaboration with DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering.
  • The TeLEOS-2 satellite will fulfil the satellite imagery needs of several agencies within the Singapore government, providing all-weather day and night coverage with 1m full-polarimetric resolution.
  • The Lumelite-4 satellite will also be aboard the PSLV-C55 mission.
  • The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) will be utilised to undertake seven experimental non-separable payloads.
  • After satellite separation, the PS4 will be employed as a platform for experiments for the third time.
  • The PSLV-C55 mission is a specialised commercial mission that launches both satellites into an eastward low-inclination orbit.

TeLEOS-2

  • The TeLEOS-2 satellite is being developed in collaboration with DSTA (representing the Singapore government) and ST Engineering. 
  • Once installed and operational, it will be utilised to support the satellite imagery needs of various agencies within the Singapore government. TeLEOS-2 is equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload.
  •  TeLEOS-2 will be capable of imaging at 1m full-polarimetric resolution and will provide all-weather day and night coverage.

LUMILITE-4

  • A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) and the National University of Singapore’s Satellite Technology and Research Centre (STAR) collaborated on the LUMELITE-4 satellite.
  •  LUMELITE4 is a high-performance 12U satellite that will be used to demonstrate the High-Performance Space-borne VHF Data Exchange System (VDES).
  •  It plans to use the VDES communication payload developed by I2R and STAR’s scalable satellite bus architecture to improve Singapore’s e-navigation maritime safety and to aid the global shipping community.

POEM-2

  • The mission includes the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), which uses the discarded PS4 stage of the launch vehicle as an orbital platform to conduct scientific experiments using non-separating payloads. 
  • ISRO/Department of Space, Bellatrix, Dhruva Space, and Indian Institute of Astrophysics on the payloads.