Context:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched Brazil’s optical earth observation satellite, Amazonia-1, and 18 co-passenger satellites — five from India and 13 from the U.S. — from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.
• The satellites were carried on board the PSLV-C51, the 53rd flight of ISRO’s launch vehicle and the first dedicated mission of its commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd.

Details:

• The PSLV-C51, equipped with two solid strap-on boosters, the third such launch of the PSLV-DL variant.
• Of the 13 satellites from the U.S., one is a technology demonstration satellite and the remaining are for two-way communications and data relay.
• The satellites from India are the Satish Dhawan SAT (SDSAT) built by Space Kidz India, a nano-satellite intended to study the radiation levels, space weather and demonstrate long-range communication technologies; the UNITYsat, a combination of three satellites for providing radio relay services; and another satellite belonging to the DRDO.
• The SDSAT has an engraving of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the top panel to show solidarity for the atma nirbhar initiative and space privatization.
• The Bhagavad Gita was also sent on board an SD card to give the scripture, which teaches oneness as the highest form of humanity, the highest honor.
• The UNITYsat was designed and built as a joint development by Jeppiar Institute of Technology, Sriperumbudur, G.H. Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur and Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore.

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/isro-puts-brazilian-satellite-in-orbit/article33958019.ece

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