ISRO successfully launches PSLV-C56 with 7 foreign satellites into space

NELLORE: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on its 56th mission to space with seven foreign satellites.

The PSLV-C56 mission was lifted-off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 6:31 AM IST on Sunday, marking the second big launch by the Indian space agency in two weeks after the launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon on July 14, 2023 from Sriharikota.

The DS-SAR satellite, created through a collaboration between DSTA, representing the Government of Singapore and ST Engineering, would meet the imagery requirements of several Singapore government agencies and ST Engineering's commercial customers.

The launch was conducted by ISRO under a contract with New Space India Limited (NSIL). The PSLV-C56 also carries six co-passenger customer satellites, including VELOX-AM, ARCADE, SCOOB-II, NuLIoN, Galassia-2 and ORB-12 STRIDER. All seven satellites were successfully deployed into their intended orbit, nearly 23 minutes after launch from Sriharikota.

"We are going to undertake more experiments in the PSLV range. There will be another PSLV launch in August or September. Thanks to the Singapore government for putting their faith in ISRO," said ISRO chairman S Somnath.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, extended his congratulations to the ISRO team for the successful launch of PSLV-C56 with seven satellites into the intended orbit. YS Jagan also wished ISRO all success in future endeavors.

Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer also congratulated the ISRO scientists for the successful launch of PSLV-C56 carrying Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite along with six co-passenger satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. "The successful launch of PSLV-C56 mission has added another feather in ISRO’s cap and wished them success in all their future missions, " the Governor said.