India seems to have taken a leadership position in launching satellites. Cartosat-2 was launched this morning. Out of the 31 satellites that launched, two are Indian and the remaining 29 belong to other countries.
PSLV-C38 will be launched from the first launchpad of Satish Dhawan Space Ce (swarajyamag.com)
Cartosat-2 series satellite, the primary satellite of the mission is a remote sensing satellite.
The pictures and videos would be helpful in a wide range of activities including military and civil planning. (deccanchronicle.com)
The 712 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite, called India's eye in the sky, will be providing regular remote sensing services using its panchromatic and multispectral cameras.
The imagery sent by the satellite will be useful for cartographic applications, urban and rural applications, coastal land use and regulation, utility management like road network monitoring, water distribution, creation of land use maps and for geographical information system applications. (news.xinhuanet.com)
In February this year, India created history by successfully launching 104 satellites at one go, overtaking the previous record of 37 satellites launched by Russia in 2014. (news.xinhuanet.com)
https://youtu.be/0r41rwqh1Go
Recent Successes
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently successfully put five British satellites into orbit in just over nineteen minutes. 1 The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was rented by Britain, and the British company Surrey Technology Limited also hired an entire rocket for the first time.But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society.’ 2
Per the Make in India initiative, FDI of up to 74% is allowed in the ‘establishment and operation of satellites, subject to the sectoral guidelines of the Department of Space/ISRO, under the government route.’ 3 There are some companies with private satellites and investments in the public sector, but those are limited to sectors like telecommunications, or simply help the ISRO.
Future advances
Unlike the cryogenic engine which uses a combination of liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) as propellant, the semi-cryogenic engine replaces liquid hydrogen with refined kerosene (Isrosene as ISRO calls it).
The idea is to replace the second stage of the GSLV Mk-III, which now uses a liquid stage, with the semi-cryo.
The advantage of inducting the semi-cryogenic stage is the payload capacity of the GSLV Mk-III will increase from four tonnes to six tonnes. (medium.com)
VENUS MISSION
India has moved a step closer to its maiden mission to Venus with its space agency ISRO announcing that proposals have been sought for space-based experiments to study the planet. (medium.com)