ISRO successfully launched Brazil’s optical earth observation satellite, Amazonia-1, and 18 co-passenger satellites from India [5] and the U.S.A. [13].
The satellites were carried on board the PSLV-C51 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) at Sriharikota.
What all were part of it?
Of the 13 satellites from the U.S., one was a technology demonstration satellite.
The remaining for 2-way communications and data relay.
Five satellites belong to India including –
the Satish Dhawan SAT (SDSAT) built by Space Kidz India, a nano-satellite intended to study the radiation levels, space weather and demonstrate long range communication technologies
the UNITYsat, a combination of three satellites intended for providing radio relay services
The other satellite belongs to DRDO.
The main payload in the mission was Brazil’s Amazonia-1 earth observation satellite.
The sun-synchronous Amazonia-1 is the first satellite to be fully designed, integrated, tested, and operated by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research.
It can generate images of any part of the world every 5 days.
But it will be used mainly to provide remote sensing data to monitor deforestation in the Amazon.
Why is it significant?
With the launch of Brazil’s Amazonia-1 satellite, a new chapter has begun in India’s space history.
The satellite was the first dedicated commercial mission of New Space India Limited (NSIL).
NSIL is a two-year-old commercial arm of ISRO.
This is not the first time that NSIL has organised a launch of foreign satellites aboard an ISRO launch vehicle.
The organisation has had launches in November 2020 as well as in December 2019.
However, the primary satellites aboard both these missions were Indian satellites — the RISAT-2BRI and the EOS-01.
There were smaller satellites from several other countries, as well as India.
The Amazonia mission also saw 18 other satellites being launched and was the first fully commercial mission.
The mission was undertaken under a commercial arrangement with Spaceflight Inc., USA.
The launch with PSLV-C51 is the 53rd flight of India’s workhorse launch vehicle (PSLV).
What is the future potential?
India has so far launched 342 foreign satellites from 34 countries using its PSLV platform.
Many of them have involved ISRO’s first commercial entity, the Antrix Corporation.
There is still confusion on how exactly the responsibilities of NSIL differ from those of Antrix.
But there is a potential explosion of market opportunities from space applications with -
the formation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), a regulatory agency
plans of an independent tribunal to adjudicate disputes among private space entities
The private sector plays a major role in developing launch and satellite infrastructure for ISRO.
But now, there are several companies that offer varied other services.
What role is NSIL expected to play?
NSIL has a broad ambit and will be involved in collaborations spanning from launches to new space-related industries.
NSIL is also expected to be more than just a marketer of ISRO’s technologies.
It is expected to find newer business opportunities and expand the sector itself.
NSIL must endeavour to not be another Antrix but be continuously in start-up mode.
It must conceive of ways to aid space start-ups reach out to rural India.
It should thus facilitate more recruits from India’s youth to facilitate careers in space applications and sciences.
What are the challenges?
Many of the private companies want to launch their own satellites, of varying dimensions.
In this regard, the experience with ISRO has not been smooth always.
The most conspicuous has been the controversy involving Devas Multimedia.
The Government of India owes nearly $1.2 billion to Devas Multimedia.
This was as per an order of a tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce.
The order was also upheld by a United States federal court.
NSIL is thus also a move to insulate the prospects of the space industry in India from repercussions of the Devas-Antrix imbroglio.
