The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the country’s Polar rocket PSLV C-51 carrying Amazonia-1 of Brazil and 18 other satellites from the Sriharikota spaceport on February 28, in its first mission of the year. 

 

Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 launches on Sunday from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. “#PSLVC51 lifts off successfully from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota,” ISRO said in a Tweet.

 

Subject to weather conditions, the blastoff for the PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 mission was scheduled at 10.24 am yesterday. PSLV-C51 rocket, which is the 53rd mission of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), launched Amazonia-1 of Brazil as primary satellite and 18 co-passenger payloads from the first launch pad of the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district, about 100 km from Chennai. These co-passenger satellites include Satish Dhawan Sat (SD SAT) from Chennai-based Space Kidz India (SKI).

 

After a flight of about 17 minutes 23 seconds, the vehicle-injected the Amazonia-1 into its intended orbit and in the succeeding 1 hour 38 minutes, all the 18 co-passenger satellites successfully separated from the PSLV in a predetermined sequence.

 

According to earlier updates posted by ISRO, the filling of the oxidizer for the second stage (PS2) had been completed.

The 637-kg Amazonia-1, which is the first Brazilian satellite to be launched from India, is the optical earth observation satellite of the 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,” an ISRO statement had said.

A picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been engraved on the top panel of this spacecraft to show “solidarity and gratitude for his (PM’s) Aatmanirbhar initiative and space privatisation”, said SKI, which is also sending up “Bhagavad Gita” in SD (secured digital) card.

 

In view of the strict COVID-19 pandemic norms in place at SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota, gathering of media personnel is not planned there and the launch viewing gallery is closed.

However, the live telecast of the launch is available on the ISRO website, Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter channels.