ISRO launches Brazil's Amazonia-1 satellite, 18 co-passenger satellites
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) PSLV-C51, on 28 February, successfully launched Brazil’s Amazonia-1 satellite and 18 co-passenger satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 28 Feb 2021 9:34 AM GMT
Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV-C51, on 28 February, successfully launched Brazil's Amazonia-1 satellite and 18 co-passenger satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on the successful launch and tweeted, "Congratulations President @jairbolsonaro on the successful launch of Brazil's Amazonia-1 satellite by PSLV-C51. This is a historic moment in our space cooperation and my felicitations to the scientists of Brazil. @isro."
PSLV-C51 lifted off from the First Launch Pad of SDSC SHAR at 10:24 a.m (IST) as planned. After a flight of about 17 minutes, 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.
ISRO chairman Dr. K. Sivan congratulated team ISRO for the precise injection of Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passenger satellites. Talking about the primary satellite, Amazonia-1, he said, "India and ISRO feel extremely proud and honoured to launch the first satellite designed, integrated and operated by Brazil. Hearty congratulations to the Brazilian team for this achievement."
H.E Marcos Cesar Pontes, the Brazilian minister of science, technology, and innovation, congratulated the ISRO team for Sunday's successful launch and said, "Amazonia-1 is an important mission for Brazil which also marks the beginning of a new era for satellite development in the country." He also emphasized the importance of the partnership between India and Brazil and said he was looking forward to further strengthen ties with India.
Amazonia-1 is the optical earth observation satellite of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This satellite will provide remote sensing data to users for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon region and analyzing diversified agriculture across the Brazilian territory.
The 18 co-passenger satellites onboard PSLV-C51 includes four from IN-SPACe and fourteen from NSIL. Of the 14 satellites from NSIL, one was from India and 13 from the US.
