ISRO ____ Mission Launched (30 July 2023) 7 Foreign Satellites To Space

Space - General Knowledge Questions

PSLV-C52

PSLV-C56

PSLV-C58

PSLV-C59

Correct Answer : PSLV-C56

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C56) today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The PSLV-C56 was launched from the first launch pad at around 6.30 am, 30 July 2023.

#WATCH | Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launches its PSLV-C56 with six co-passenger satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

(Source: ISRO) pic.twitter.com/2I1pNvKvBH
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2023

Primary Payload Of The PSLV-C56 Mission :

The main payload of the mission is the DS-SAR satellite, equipped with a Synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) capable of generating two-dimensional images or three-dimensional reconstructions of objects.

The DS-SAR satellite, weighing 360 kg, is a joint effort between DSTA, representing the Government of Singapore, and ST Engineering.

Aim : It aims to fulfill the imagery requirements of various Singapore government agencies and ST Engineering’s commercial clients.

Launched into a Near-equatorial Orbit (NEO) at an altitude of 535 km, the satellite carries an SAR payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This payload enables all-weather day and night coverage and has the capacity to capture images with a remarkable 1-meter resolution at full polarimetry.

With this high-resolution capability, the Singapore government can effectively assess damage caused by natural disasters, monitor land use, track deforestation, and support security and defence operations. Additionally, commercial customers can utilize the satellite for applications such as oil and gas exploration, agriculture monitoring, and infrastructure assessment.

Other Payloads : In addition to the DS-SAR satellite, six co-passenger satellites have been launched into space. These include VELOX-AM, a microsatellite for technology demonstration; ARCADE, an experimental satellite for exploring atmospheric coupling and dynamics; SCOOB-II, a nanosatellite carrying a technology demonstrator payload; NuLIoN by NuSpace, an advanced nanosatellite enabling seamless IoT connectivity in both urban and remote areas; Galassia-2, a nanosatellite in low earth orbit; and ORB-12 STRIDER, a satellite developed through international collaboration.

PSLV-C56 : This marks the 58th flight of PSLV and the 17th flight of PSLV in Core Alone configuration. Once all the satellites are deployed, the upper stage of the rocket will be maneuvered into a lower orbit to minimize its orbital life. The PSLV-C56 was launched from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, as stated by ISRO.

The PSLV-C56 mission not only showcases India’s expertise in space technology but also reinforces international collaborations in space research.

Published On : July 31, 2023

Recent Updates in Space - General Knowledge Questions

Q .

Which Country successfully tested its Angara-A5 space rocket for the first time on April 11, 2024?

USA

Russia

India

Correct Answer : Russia

Russia successfully tested its Angara-A5 space rocket for the first time on April 11, 2024. The test launch was conducted from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Far East of Russia. In fact, rocket test launches on April 9 and 10 were cancelled due to a malfunction in the pressurization system and a problem with the engine launch-control system.

Previous Launch Attempts and Cancellations

* Two previous launch attempts on April 9 and 10 were canceled due to technical issues.
* The April 9 launch was canceled due to a malfunction in the pressurization system, while the April 10 launch was canceled because of a problem with the engine launch-control system.

Third Test Launch a Success :

* The April 11 launch was Russia’s third test of the Angara-A5 rocket, and it was successful.
* The launch coincided with Cosmonaut Day, which commemorates Yuri Gagarin’s historic spaceflight 63 years ago.

Rocket Performance and Specifications :

* The Angara-A5 rocket reached an altitude of more than 25,000 kilometers (15,500 miles) per hour within minutes of launch.
* The Angara-A5 is a three-stage rocket that stands 54.5 meters (178.81 feet) tall and weighs about 773 tons, with a payload capacity of 24.5 tons.

The Angara Project

* Russia launched the Angara project in 1991, shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, to develop a domestically produced launch vehicle.
* The first Angara-A5 test flight took place in 2014, and a second test was conducted in 2020 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.
* A partial test of the Angara project in 2021 was unsuccessful.

Significance of the Angara Rocket

* The Angara-A5 is designed to replace Russia’s Proton launcher and maintain Russia’s access to space after the expiration of the lease on the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in 2050.
* President Vladimir Putin has touted the Angara’s role in national security, although the project has faced significant delays and technical setbacks.
* Russia hopes to use the Angara’s cargo capabilities to deliver modules to a rival space station that it plans to build in the coming years.

Published On : April 13, 2024

Category : Space

Q .

When is India aiming to land an astronaut on the moon, as revealed by ISRO Chief S Somanath?

2035

2040

2045

2050

Correct Answer : 2040

ISRO Chief S Somanath announced that India aims to land an astronaut on the moon by 2040, as part of the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission, highlighting India's ambitious lunar exploration goals and the progress in ISRO's space projects.

Published On : April 12, 2024

Category : Space

Q .

Who launched India's first private sub-meter resolution surveillance satellite?

Dhruv space

Tata Advanced Systems Limited

Agnikul Cosmos

Skyroot Aerospace

Correct Answer : Tata Advanced Systems Limited

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), in collaboration with Satellogic, has successfully launched India’s inaugural private sector-built sub-metre resolution earth observation satellite, TSAT-1A. This significant milestone marks a new era in India’s space endeavors, offering enhanced surveillance capabilities to the country.

Collaboration and Launch Details :

The collaboration between TASL and Satellogic resulted in the successful launch of TSAT-1A from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, aboard Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on April 7, 2024. Assembled at TASL’s Vemagal facility in Karnataka, TSAT-1A promises high-resolution optical satellite imagery with multispectral and hyperspectral capabilities.

Technical Specifications and Significance :

TSAT-1A boasts sub-metre resolution (0.5-0.8 meters natively) which can be further enhanced to 0.5 to 0.6-meter super resolution using software. Weighing less than 50 kg and positioned in low-earth orbit, it offers increased collection capacity and low-latency delivery of satellite images, catering to the needs of various sectors including defense and commercial enterprises.

Target Customers and Future Plans :

CEO and MD of TASL, Sukaran Singh, highlighted that the primary customers for TSAT-1A would be government agencies, particularly the Indian armed forces, with plans to extend services to commercial clients. Singh also emphasized the importance of the inclined orbit for frequent revisits to areas of interest, enhancing surveillance capabilities.

Future Endeavors and Space Facilities :

TASL aims to expand its capabilities in the space sector by focusing on areas including assembly, integration, and testing of satellites, data processing, and satellite control centers. Collaboration with ISRO for future launches is also envisioned, showcasing TASL’s commitment to furthering India’s space exploration efforts.

Congratulations and Acknowledgments :

Emiliano Kargieman, CEO at Satellogic, commended the efficient collaboration between TASL and Satellogic, highlighting the adaptability of Satellogic’s Space Systems program in meeting specific satellite requirements and achieving timely launches.

Published On : April 9, 2024

Category : Space