ISRO to launch PSLV-C55 mission with two Singaporean satellites today: When and where to watch?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch two Singapore satellites on board PSLV-C55/TeLEOS-2 on Saturday at 2.19 pm from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

This is a dedicated commercial mission through NSIL with TeLEOS-2 as primary satellite and Lumelite-4 as a co-passenger satellite. The satellites weigh about 741 kg and 16 kg, respectively. They are intended to be launched into an Eastward low inclination orbit.

The TeLEOS-2 is a synthetic aperture radar satellite developed under partnership between Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), representing the Government of Singapore and ST Engineering. Once deployed and operational, it will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore. TeLEOS-2 carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload. TeLEOS-2 will be able to provide all-weather day and night coverage, and capable of imaging at 1m full-polarimetric resolution.

After deployment of the satellite into the about 586 km orbit, it would be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore. The TeLEOS-2 carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload. It would be used to provide all-weather day and night coverage and is capable of imaging at 1 metre full polarimetric resolution for Singapore.

About LUMILITE-4

The LUMELITE-4 satellite is co-developed by the Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) of A*STAR and Satellite Technology and Research Centre (STAR) of the National University of Singapore. LUMELITE4 is an advanced 12U satellite developed for the technological demonstration of the High-Performance Space-borne VHF Data Exchange System (VDES). Using the VDES communication payload developed by I2R and STAR's scalable satellite bus platform, it aims to augment Singapore's e-navigation maritime safety and benefit the global shipping community.

About POEM-2

The mission has the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), where the spent PS4 stage of the launch vehicle would be utilized as an orbital platform to carryout scientific experiments through non-separating payloads. The payloads belong to ISRO/Department of Space, Bellatrix, Dhruva Space, and Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

The Payloads on POEM-2 would be powered by scientists, after the primary and co-passenger satellites are separated. The platform would have a solar panel which would be deployed facing towards the Sun to increase its power generation capability. The power would be provided to payloads and avionic packages based on their requirements.

When and where to watch satellite launch?

You can watch the live stream of the PSLV-C55 mission launch here.

(with PTI inputs)