The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch a Brazilian satellite for the first time from Sriharikota spaceport on February 28.

Subject to weather conditions, the blast-off is scheduled at 10.24 am from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, where countdown commenced at 8.54 am on February 27 for the PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 mission.

It’s ISRO's first launch of 2021.

Highlights of the mission

• PSLV-C51 rocket, which is the 53rd mission of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), will launch 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.

• PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 is the first dedicated commercial mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). NSIL is undertaking this mission under a commercial arrangement with US-based Spaceflight Inc.

• The 637-kg Amazonia-1 is optical earth observation satellite of National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in Brazil.

• 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.

• The 18 co-passenger satellites are: four from ISRO’s Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (three UNITYsats from consortium of three Indian academic institutes and one from Satish Dhawan Sat from Space Kidz India) and 14 from NSIL.

What is NSIL?

The NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a central public sector enterprise (CPSE), under the administrative control of department of space (DOS) was established on March 6, 2019. 

NSIL is the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the primary responsibility of enabling Indian industries to take up high technology space related activities.

NSIL was set up to meet the ever-increasing demands of Indian space programme and to commercially exploit the emerging global space market. 

Functions of NSIL:

* Small satellite technology transfer to industry, wherein NSIL will obtain license from DOS/ISRO and sub-license it to industries.

* Manufacture of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in collaboration with private sector. 

* Productionisation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) through Indian industry. 

* Production and marketing of space based products and services, including launch and application. 

* Transfer of technology developed by ISRO centres and constituent units of DOS. 

* Marketing spin-off technologies and products/services, both in India and abroad.

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