New Delhi: ISRO is launching the PSLV-C62 mission at 10:17 hours on 12 January 2025 from the First Launch Pad at ISRO’s spaceport in Sriharikota. The primary
payload on board the satellite is the hyperspectral Earth imaging satellite EOS-N1 for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with strategic applications, capable of spotting camouflaged vehicles and buildings based on the spectral properties of the materials used. The satellite has strategic applications and will be monitoring the border regions. The satellite, dubbed Anvesha will complete a trinity of strategic satellites operated by the DRDO, joining the previously launched Kautilya and Sindu-Netra in orbit. ISRO will be livestreaming the launch which will also be broadcast on Doordarshan. The pre-launch programming starts at 09:48 hours IST and can be caught in the video embedded below.
There are a total of 16 satellites on the mission, with 15 co-passengers sharing the ride to space. Hyderabad-based Eon Space Labs is demonstrating its lightweight, compact Mira Space Telescope with satellite partner TakeMe2Space, that has integrated AI smarts into the MOI-1 CubeSat. Also on board is a satellite servicing demonstrator by OrbitAid, to test and validate its Standard Interface for Docking and Refueling Port (SIDRP), for the transfer of fuel, power and data between satellites. There is also Orbital Temple, a collaborative artwork project and the Munal student satellite for Nepal. The remaining satellites are academic satellites, or meant for the amateur radio community.
No POEM on the flight
The satellites will start being deployed about 1074 seconds into the flight, with the first payload released being DRDO’s Anvesha, followed by the other satellites. The last payload to be deployed will be the Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID) cargo capsule for Spanish New Space Startup Orbital Paradigm. This is not a satellite, but carries payloads for UK, Germany and France even on the demonstration flight. Orbital Paradigm will be collecting data during the reentry of the capsule, which is not expected to reach the surface. No recovery operation is planned. ISRO has not included a POEM platform on this PSLV flight, and the upper stage will be deorbiting and burning up in the atmosphere at the end of the flight.
