NEW DELHI - Seven Singapore-made satellites were launched successfully by India into their intended orbits on Sunday, further deepening space collaboration between the two countries.
They took off at 6.31am local time on board a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, off the coast of Andhra Pradesh in South India.
The primary satellite on board this mission, which was dedicated entirely to Singapore, was DS-SAR, a 352kg radar imaging earth observation satellite developed through a partnership between Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency and ST Engineering.
Once deployed and operational, it will support satellite imagery requirements of various Singapore government agencies. The satellite, equipped with a radar payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, can provide all-weather, as well as day-and-night coverage, at a 1-metre resolution.
Another payload for the mission was the NuLIoN nanosatellite from NuSpace, a Singapore firm that provides Internet of Things connectivity across areas in the South-east Asia region with limited to non-existent communication infrastructure.
The rocket also carried the ORB-12 Strider satellite, developed under an international collaboration coordinated by Singapore-based space-tech company Aliena. It will demonstrate next-generation propulsion systems for small satellite constellations.
Other satellites on board this mission executed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Isro’s commercial arm, included those from Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore (NUS).
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/india-launches-seven-singaporean-satellites
