Source: Business Today

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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.

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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)