Chennai: The 22.5 hour countdown for tomorrows launch of PSLV-C51 which would be carrying 637 kg Brazillian Satellite Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passenger satellites began at 8.54 am on Saturday at the spaceport of Sriharikota about 100 km from here. “Countdown for the launch of PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 mission commenced today at 8.54 am from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR Sriharikota” ISRO tweeted. The launch would take place from the First Launch Pad at 10.24 am. This would be one of the longest mission for the Space Agency that would last nearly two hours. This would be the first mission of this year and the first dedicated commercial mision for the newly formed NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). After the Launch Authorisation Board (LAB) cleared the mission the countdown commenced today during which propellant filling operations would be taken up in the 44.4 m tall four-stage vehicle. In this mission the fourth stage engine would be cut off and restarted twice. About 17 minutes after the launch the fourth stage engine would be cut off following which Amazonia-1 will get separated and injected into the orbit. About 44 minutes later the fourth stage engine would be restarted for nine seconds and cut off before restarting it for the second time 30 minutes later when the co-passenger satellites would get separated and injected into the Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit. ISRO would be using the DL variant of PSLV equipped with two solid strap-on boosters for this mission. This would be the first launch of 2021 39th from the First Launch Pad 78th Launch Vehicle Mission from SDSC SHAR 53rd flight of PSLV third flight of PSLV-DL and the first dedicated PSLV commercial mission for NSIL being undertaken under a commercial agreement the Spaceflight Ic. USA. Amazonia-1 is the optical earth observation satellie of National Institute for Space Research (INPE) Brazil. This is the first satellite which is completely designed integrated tested and operated by INPE. It has a life span of four years. The Amazonia-1 mission 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 Brazillian territory. The 18 co-passenger satellites include four from IN-SPACe (three UNITYsats from consortium of three Indian academic institutes and One Satish Dhawan Sat from Space Kidz India) and 14 from NSIL. The commercial co-passengers satellites are Indias SindhuNetra and SAI-1 NanoConnect-2 of USA–both for technology demonstration –and 12 Space BEEs satellites from USA for two-way satellite communications and data relay. SDSAT a nano satellite built by Space Kidz India is intended to study the radiational levels/space weather and demonstrate long range communication technologies. UNITYsat is the combination of three satellites. It is designed and built as a joint development by Jeppiar Institute of Technology (JITsat) G H Raisoni College of Engineering-Nagpur (CGHRCEsat) and Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology Coimbatore (Sri Shakthi Sat). This satellite is intended for providing Radio relay services.

Stay updated with all the Chennai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.