ISRO will launch the Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 along with three private satellites via PSLV-C51 mission in early February. The Amazonia-1 is a Brazilian satellite, which is meant to monitor Amazon forests has been airlifted to India via Emirates Skycargo flight from Sao Jose dos Campos International airport to Chennai. Amazonia-1 automatically monitors the ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest and will launch from the Sriharikota launch pad via PSLV-C51 mission in February 2021. In addition to Amazonia-1, ISRO will also launch three private satellites designed and developed by Indian startups.
According to K Sivan, the upcoming launch of the private satellites is part of the space reforms announced by Modi Government. The move has given a huge impetus in the private sector in space exploration. He added that PSLV-C51 mission is not only special for the organization but also for the entire country.
During the previous PSLV launch, Sivan has revealed that the next mission will put Anand from Pixxel India, SATISH SAT from Space Kids India, and UNIT-SAT from a consortium of universities in India. While Amazonia-1 will be the first to eject to space, the other three satellites will throw open to the sky immediately within 30 seconds time interval.
Amazonia-1 has been developed by the National Institute for Space research, which is brazil’s apex body for space research and exploration. The satellite was airlifted to Chennai from Brazil by Emirates SkyCargo. The airline sources revealed that this is the first time they have airlifted a mega satellite from South America to India. Previously. the carrier had transported Khaslifasat from Dubai to Seoul.
Even though the total weight of the Amazonia-1 is 700kg, the whole satellite cargo was heavy measuring 22 tonnes. The whole satellite was dismantled into multiple components to facilitate easy loading and unloading. Moreover, the crucial components were packed in large containers to avoid any damage. The satellite is being accompanied by four members of the Brazilian space team who will monitor the functioning of the satellite during the flight and also help ISRO engineers to assemble the satellite.
In a significant development, the Narendra Modi-led Government had opened the Indian space sector to private agencies in a bid to invoke the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The move was widely accepted by all people except few opposition parties, who always oppose any private involvement.