ISRO prepares for its third biggest launch and here’s all you need to know

While developed space agencies like NASA continue to spend billions on space exploration mission, ISRO has time and again proved, the cost-effectiveness of space operations and has made the world believe, that affordable space travel is indeed possible.

Tomorrow will mark yet another major landmark for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).  They are set in stone for their third longest mission ever. ISRO’s PSLV – C43 is all set for take-off tomorrow (Nov 29th) at 9:57 AM IST  from the agency’s First Launch Pad (FLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This would be the 45th flight for PSLV and 13th for the C43.

What is HysIS?

The rocket will be carrying over 30 satellites with diverse applications while their pivotal satellite will be the HysIS (Hyperspectral Imagine Satellite); a first for the Indian space agency. Hyperspectral imaging is a kind of spectral imaging that collects and processes information from across a wide range of electromagnetic spectrum; even beyond human visibility. Certain objects leave unique ‘fingerprints’ in the electromagnetic spectrum. Known as spectral signatures, these ‘fingerprints’ enable identification of the materials that make up a scanned object. This technology finds varied applications right from mineral exploration to defense. By using a spectral signature of oil or mineral field, the satellite could help geologists locate new mineral fields. It also has the capability to showcase any object or even a person in the background from space, which will help detect trans-border activity or any suspicious stealthy movements. The satellite is expected to function for a span of 5 years and provide the country with valuable information.

The total load the PSLV – C43 would be carrying a total load of 641 kg (HysIS – 380 kg and the other 30 satellites combined  – 261.5kg). The entire duration of the rocket’s journey would be for 116 min. First, the rocket would place the HysIS at an altitude of 636km into a polar sun-synchronous orbit (an orbit that maintains the same relationship with the sun just as Earth).

It would the drop down to a 503 km altitude and unhitch the 30 other satellite – 1 microsatellite and 29 nanosatellites.  23 of those satellites belong to the US and one each from Netherlands, Spain, Australia, Canada, Columbia, Finland and Malaysia. They would be used for earth observation, communication, Internet of things (IoT) and scientific experiments.