India successfully launched PSLV C-23 with 5 satellites

India’s ANTRIX (ISRO’s commercial arm) successfully launched 5 foreign satellites from four countries on board PSLV-C23 rocket which placed them in orbit.
The rocket was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and was also witnessed by PM Narendra Modi.
ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C23 placed all five satellites into their respective orbits.
The rocket carried with it primary payload of 714 kg French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7, 14 kg AISAT of Germany, NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada each weighing 15 kg and the 7 kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.
PM Modi extolled the efforts Indian space scientists and asked the space community to develop a SAARC satellite.
He referred to pictures showing rocket components being transported on bicycles.

• SPOT 7: French satellite, it will be part of the existing Earth observation satellite. It has been built by European space technology company Airbus Defence and Space.
• AISAT:  German nano-satellite, to focus on the global sea-traffic monitoring system with special emphasis on high traffic zones using AIS signals.
• NLS 7.1 and NLS 7.2:  Canadian satellite, they will perform Two-spacecraft precision formation flying using differential GPS with centimetre-level relative position and sub-metre level accurate position control system.
• VELOX-1: Singaporean satellite, it is a technology demonstrator for in-house design of image sensor, MEMS-based attitude determination and control system and inter-satellite RF link.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2014

Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs