The launch of PSLV-C56, carrying the DS-SAR satellite along with six co-passengers from the first launch-pad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, was accomplished successfully by ISRO on July 30, 2023, at 06:30 hrs IST. The DS-SAR radar satellite was developed and produced by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
PSLV-C56 was configured in its core-alone mode, similar to that of C55. The DS-SAR, a 360 kg. satellite, was launched into a Near Equatorial Orbit (NEO) at 5 degrees inclination and at an altitude of 535 km.
The DS-SAR satellite was developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering. Once deployed and operational, it will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore. ST Engineering will use the satellite 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). This allows the DS-SAR to provide for all-weather day and night coverage, and capable of imaging at 1 meter resolution at full polarimetry.
The co-passengers for this mission were…
- VELOX-AM, a 23 kg. technology demonstration smallsat.
- ARCADE Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer (ARCADE), an experimental satellite
- SCOOB-II , a 3U smallsat flying a technology demonstrator payload
- NuLIoN by NuSpace, an advanced 3U smallsat enabling seamless IoT connectivity in urban and remote locations.
- Galassia-2, a 3U nanosatellite that will be orbiting at LEO.
- ORB-12 STRIDER , satellite developed under an International collaboration
Tests have begun on the IAI DS-SAR satellite built for Singapore’s military and commercial use which entered orbit on July 30th. and transmitted the first data to the ground station. The satellite will be handed over to its Singaporean customers at the end of testing.
The DS-SAR satellite builds on IAI’s experience in developing observation satellites such as OptSat and TecSAR, which have been developed in new generations for 35 years. The synthetic aperture radar sensor payload is designed to enable the collection of a wide range of data, in terms of both coverage and resolution, day and night, and under all weather conditions.
The satellite will be used for maritime surveillance with the Singapore Ministry of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Agency and provide commercial services through ST Electronics alongside TELEOS 1 Earth Observation.