Singapore envoy Simon Wong congratulates ISRO for launch of PSLV-C56

New Delhi [India]: Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong on Friday congratulated Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for launching the PSLV-C56.

He noted that the rocket has placed seven satellites developed by Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), ST Engineering, Singapore’s universities and private industry into orbit.

Taking to Twitter, Singapore High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong stated, “Congratulations to @isro for launching the PSLV-C56 successfully this morning. The rocket also placed seven satellites developed by DSTA, ST Engineering, our universities and private industry into orbit. To bold new frontiers in the India-Singapore space partnership! – HC Wong.”

Simon Wong’s statement comes after the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday launched PSLV-C56 carrying seven satellites, including the primary satellite DS-SAR and six co-passenger satellites, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch vehicle lifted off from Sriharikota at 6.30 am on Sunday.

“PSLV-C56/ DS-SAR Mission: The mission is successfully accomplished. PSLV-C56 vehicle launched all seven satellites precisely into their intended orbits. Thanks to @NSIL_India and Singapore, for the contract,” tweeted ISRO.

This PSLV flight marks the 58th overall and the 17th using the Core Alone configuration. The upper stage of the rocket was placed in lower orbit after injecting all the satellites to assure its shorter orbital life. The PSLV-C56, according to ISRO was launched from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.

PSLV-C56 / DS-SAR is the Dedicated Commercial Mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for ST Engineering, Singapore. DS-SAR, a Radar Imaging Earth Observation satellite is the primary satellite for the mission. In addition to this, there were 6 co-passenger customer satellites also belonging to Singapore.

All satellites would be injected into a 535 km circular with 5 orbital inclination, the ISRO stated in a release earlier. DS-SAR satellite has been developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Singapore Government) and ST Engineering.

Once deployed and operational, it will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Singapore government.

ST Engineering will use it for multi-modal and higher responsiveness imagery and geospatial services for their commercial customers.

DS-SAR carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). ISRO said that it will allow the DS-SAR to provide for all-weather day and night coverage, and is capable of imaging at 1m resolution at full polarimetry.