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TSAT-1A

10th April, 2024

TSAT-1A

Source: Business Today

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

  • TASL announces successful deployment of sub-metre resolution optical satellite TSAT-1A.

Details

Satellite Deployment

  • Launch Vehicle: SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket
  • Mission Name: Bandwagon-1
  • Collaboration:
  • TASL collaborated with Satellogic, leveraging the latter's expertise in developing and integrating advanced earth observation satellites.
  • The collaboration was initiated in November 2023 to develop and integrate TSAT-1A, showcasing TASL's capability in complex system integration.

Satellite Capabilities

  • High-Resolution Imaging: TSAT-1A is capable of delivering high-resolution optical satellite images with sub-metre resolution.
  • Increased Collection Capacity: The satellite features enhanced collection capacity, enabling it to capture a wide range of imagery.
  • Multispectral and Hyperspectral Capabilities: TSAT-1A is equipped with multispectral and hyperspectral capabilities for advanced imaging.

Manufacturing

  • TSAT-1A was assembled at TASL's Assembly, Integration, and Testing plant located at its Vemagal facility in Karnataka, India.
  • This milestone demonstrates TASL's commitment to the space sector and showcases India's capabilities in satellite manufacturing and integration.

Bandwagon-1 Mission

  • SpaceX's Bandwagon-1 mission marks the first dedicated rideshare mission launched into a mid-inclination orbit, offering a higher revisit rate for customers.
  • In addition to TSAT-1A, the mission included 11 other spacecraft from various organizations, further expanding the capabilities of space exploration and observation.

About Satellites

  • Satellites are artificial objects placed into orbit around celestial bodies, primarily Earth, for various purposes, including communication, navigation, Earth observation, scientific research, and national security.
  • They play a crucial role in modern-day communication, weather forecasting, disaster management, and surveillance.

General Components of a Satellite:

  • Power Source: Solar panels for power requirements.
  • Housing: Protection for critical instruments.
  • Transponders: Transmit and amplify radio signals.
  • Thermal Control: Maintain equipment temperature.
  • Command and Data Handling: Control and monitor satellite functions.
  • Guidance and Stabilization: Maintain orbit and orientation.

Types of Satellites:

Communication Satellites:

  • Purpose: Facilitate communication by transmitting signals between ground stations and receivers.
  • Examples:
    • Intelsat: Provides global communication services.
    • Iridium: Offers satellite phone and data services worldwide.

Navigation Satellites:

  • Purpose: Provide precise positioning and timing information for navigation purposes.
  • Examples:
    • Global Positioning System (GPS): Maintained by the U.S. Department of Defense for worldwide navigation.
    • Galileo: European Union's global navigation satellite system.

Earth Observation Satellites:

  • Purpose: Capture high-resolution images of Earth's surface for various applications, including environmental monitoring, agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management.
  • Examples:
    • Landsat: Provides multispectral imagery for monitoring changes in land use and environmental conditions.
    • Sentinel series: Part of the European Space Agency's Copernicus program for environmental monitoring.

Weather Satellites:

  • Purpose: Monitor atmospheric conditions, track weather patterns, and forecast weather events.
  • Examples:
    • GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites): Operated by NOAA for weather monitoring and forecasting in the U.S.
    • Meteosat: European weather satellites operated by EUMETSAT.

Reconnaissance Satellites:

  • Purpose: Gather intelligence and perform surveillance for military and security purposes.
  • Examples:
    • Keyhole series (KH): Used by the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) for reconnaissance missions.
    • Lacrosse series: Radar imaging reconnaissance satellites operated by the NRO.

Scientific Satellites:

  • Purpose: Conduct scientific research and experiments in space, studying celestial bodies, cosmic phenomena, and space environment.
  • Examples:
    • Hubble Space Telescope: Observes distant galaxies, stars, and planets, providing valuable insights into the universe.
    • Chandra X-ray Observatory: Studies X-ray emissions from celestial objects, including black holes and supernovae.

Navigation and Research Satellites:

  • Purpose: Combine navigation and scientific research capabilities for various applications.
  • Examples:
    • BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS): Provides navigation services while supporting scientific research activities.
    • International Space Station (ISS): Serves as a research laboratory for conducting experiments in microgravity.

Orbits of Different Satellite Types:

  • Communication Satellites: GEO for telecommunication, LEO for high-speed internet.
  • Earth Observation Satellites: Synchronous sub-recurrent orbit for continuous monitoring.
  • Navigation Satellites: MEO for GPS, Geostationary orbits for NavIC.
  • Astronomical Satellites: Low Earth orbit for Hubble Space Telescope, unique orbits for James Webb Space Telescope.

Must Read Articles:

Space X

Sources:

Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.  Satellites play diverse and vital roles in modern society, from facilitating global communication to enabling precise navigation and monitoring Earth's environment. Substantiate. (250 Words)