PSLV-C42 launches 2 foreign satellites

PSLV-C42 launches 2 foreign satellites

Question- Which two foreign satellites have launched by ISRO’s PSLV-C42 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre?
(a)NovaSAR and S1-4.
(b)NovaSAR and PRATHAM.
(c)S1-4 and PISAT.
(d)None of the above.
Answer-(a)
Related facts-

  • On 16 September 2018, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C42) of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched two satellites –NovaSAR and S1-4– from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
  • Both of the satellites belong to UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL).
  • This was the 44thflight of PSLV and the 12th flight of the Core Alone version (which is the lightest version) of the vehicle.
  • Till now, ISRO has launched 239 foreign satellites of 28 countries.
  • With the launch of the combination of high resolution optical and radar (SAR) satellites, the PSLV-C42 marked the latest technology and commercial collaboration between India and the UK.

 NovaSAR-

  • It carries S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Automatic Identification Receiver payloads.
  • The applications of this satellite include forestry mapping, land use and ice cover monitoring, flood and disaster monitoring and maritime missions.
  • It will be controlled from UK.

S1-4-

  • It is a high resolution earth observation satellite.
  • It is used for surveying resources, environment monitoring, urban management and disaster monitoring.

PSLV-

  • PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is an indigenously-developed expendable launch system of the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization).
  • It is a medium-lift launcher which launches satellites up to various orbits, including the Geo Synchronous Transfer Orbit, Lower Earth Orbit, and Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit. All the operations of PSLV are controlled from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota.
  • PSLV has a four-stage system-
  1. The first stage, which is at the bottom of the vehicle, is solid fuelled having six strap-on solid rocket boosters wrapped around it.
  2. Second stage is liquid fuelled.
  3. Third stage has a solid fuelled rocket motor.
  4. Fourth stage, the launcher uses a liquid propellant to boost in the outer space. 

Core Alone Version–

  • Apart from the regular version, PSLV is used in its Core Alone version and XL Version.
  • Core Alone Version is launched without six strap-on boosters and less propellant in its upper stage.
  • This used for launching smaller payloads.

XL Version-

  • The XL version is launched with extra propellant in the strap-on solid rocket boosters.
  • This version is used to increase the payload capacity i.e. for launching bigger payloads.
  • During the previous launch (PSLV-C41, April 12, 2018), the ‘XL’ version of PSLV with six strap-on motors was used for launching the IRNSS-1I navigation satellite.

References-

http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1546299

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/pslv