On April 5th, 2019, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C45 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The PSLV-C45 carried the country's first electronic intelligence satellite, EMISAT, as well as 28 other satellites from countries such as the United States, Spain, and Switzerland.
EMISAT, weighing 436 kg, is India's first satellite dedicated solely to electronic intelligence. It was designed and developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with ISRO, and will provide the Indian military with real-time intelligence from remote locations.
Apart from EMISAT, the PSLV-C45 carried 28 other satellites, including 24 from the United States. Among the US satellites were three small satellites, collectively known as the "Flock-4a" constellation, developed by Planet Labs Inc. These satellites will provide high-resolution images of the Earth's surface and help with disaster management and environmental monitoring.
The launch of PSLV-C45 was a significant achievement for ISRO, as it was the 47th mission of the PSLV and the first time it had launched satellites in three different orbits. The satellites were launched into two low Earth orbits and one circular orbit at an altitude of 504 km.
ISRO Chairman K Sivan, in a statement after the successful launch, said that the mission was "a very, very important mission for India" and that the successful launch demonstrated India's capability to offer space services to other countries.
The successful launch of PSLV-C45 and the deployment of EMISAT and other satellites further strengthen India's position in the global space race. It highlights India's growing expertise in satellite technology and its increasing role as a provider of cost-effective space services to other countries.
