India’s PSLV-C47 launches Cartosat-3 and 13 US nanosatellites

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47, has successfully conducted its 49th flight from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

PSLV-C47 launched India’s earth observation satellite Cartosat-3 and 13 US nanosatellites.

Lifted off from the Second Launch Pad, PSLV-C47 successfully deployed the observational satellite into the sun synchronous orbit of 509km at an inclination of 97.5 degree to the equator after 17 minutes and 38 seconds.

Following the parting, solar arrays of Cartosat-3 were deployed automatically and the satellite control was taken over by the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network at the Indian city of Bengaluru. The satellite will be brought to its final operational configuration in the next few days.

The 13 American commercial nanosatellites were also released into their designated orbits.

Indian Space Research Organisation chairperson Dr K Sivan said: “Cartosat-3 is the most complex and advanced earth observation satellite built by ISRO.”

According to Sivan, Cartosat-3 is a third-generation agile advanced satellite with high-resolution imaging capability. It is the nineth satellite of Cartosat series.

Designed for a mission life of five years, Cartosat-3 will meet the growing demands for large scale urban planning, rural resource and infrastructure development, coastal land use and land cover, among others.

The launch of the 13 nanosatellites was part of a commercial arrangement with ISRO’s commercial unit NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).