Relevance: GS III (Space Technology, Indigenization); Source: The Hindu / ISRO (Mission Brochure)

Context

ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission marks a significant step in India’s space capabilities, being a commercial mission facilitated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). It carries the strategic EOS-N1 (Anvesha) satellite and showcases advanced debris mitigation technologies.

Mission Highlights

  1. Launch Vehicle: PSLV-DL (DL = Double Strap-on). This variant uses two solid strap-on motors (PSOM-XL) for optimized lift-off thrust.
  2. Primary Payload: EOS-N1 (Anvesha).
    • Type: Earth Observation Satellite.
    • Tech: Features Hyperspectral Imaging for strategic surveillance, material identification, and agricultural assessment.
  3. Co-Passenger Satellites (15 Total):
    • AayulSAT (India): Tests on-orbit refuelling, a crucial tech for extending satellite life (Sustainability).
    • Theos-2A (Thailand): Earth observation co-passenger.
    • KID (Spain): Kestrel Initial Demonstrator – a prototype re-entry capsule.

Key Technological Feat: Zero Debris Initiative

  • Controlled Re-entry: Unlike typical missions where the upper stage (PS4) remains as space junk, this mission involves a “De-boost Manoeuvre”.
  • Process: After deploying satellites, the PS4 stage is restarted to lower its orbit, ensuring it (and the KID capsule) re-enters Earth’s atmosphere and burns up/splashes down in the South Pacific Ocean.
  • Significance: Demonstrates India’s commitment to the Zero Debris Charter.

UPSC Value Box: Tech & Institutions

ConceptRelevance for Prelims
Hyperspectral ImagingCaptures images across hundreds of narrow spectral bands (unlike standard RGB cameras). allows detection of hidden materials (camouflaged objects) and crop diseases.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)A near-polar orbit where the satellite passes over any given point at the same local solar time, ensuring consistent lighting (shadows) for imaging.
NSILNewSpace India Limited. A PSU under the Dept of Space. It is the commercial arm of ISRO, responsible for producing launch vehicles and executing commercial launches.
PSLV-DLOne of the 4 PSLV variants (Generic, Core Alone, XL, DL). The DL uses only 2 strap-ons (vs 6 in XL).

 

  1. With reference to the PSLV-C62 mission and its associated technologies, consider the following statements:
  1. The mission deployed the EOS-N1 satellite into a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) for continuous monitoring.
  2. It demonstrated a “controlled re-entry” of the upper stage (PS4) to minimize space debris.
  3. The mission was executed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) as a commercial venture.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)

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