ISRO PSLV-C47 Cartosat-3 Mission to be Launched on 25 November 2019

ISRO, in a fresh update, has confirmed the PSLV-C47 mission to launch Cartosat-3 and 13 other nano-satellites on 25 November 2019 at 9:28 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47 will launch Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites into Sun Synchronous orbit.

The first mission to be launched by ISRO after Chandrayaan 2, PSLV-C47 will be the 21st flight of PSLV in 'XL' configuration (with 6 solid strap-on motors). This will be the 74th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

Cartosat-3 satellite is a third-generation agile advanced satellite having high-resolution imaging capability. Potential uses of the Cartosat-3 satellite include weather mapping, cartography or army defence, and strategic applications.

Cartosat-3 is reportedly a much more improved version from the previous Cartosat series with advanced features such as adaptive optics, acousto optical devices, in-orbit focusing using MEMs and large area-light weight mirrors and advanced sense with a high-quality resolution.

PSLV-C47 will also carry 13 commercial nano-satellites from United States of America as part of a commercial arrangement with New Space India Limited (NSIL), Department of Space, said ISRO.

The previous mission that was launched by ISRO, Chandryaan-2, did not go as planned when the Vikram Lander lost all contact before landing on the Moon. However, the Orbiter of the Chandrayaan-2 mission is still intact and continues to send images and valuable information on the Moon.