Isro to launch Brazil's Amazonia on Feb 28

Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is planning to launch Brazil's Amazonia-1 and 20 Co-passenger satellites by the end of this month.

The rocket PSLV-C51, which is the 53rd mission of PSLV, will launch Amazonia-1 as the primary satellite and 20 Co-passenger satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

The launch is tentatively scheduled at 1023 Hrs IST on February 28, 2021 subject to weather conditions, according to an Isro statement. PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 is the first dedicated commercial mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Government of India company under the Department of Space.

Amazonia-1 is the optical earth observation satellite of National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

"This satellite would further strengthen the existing structure by providing remote sensing data to users for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon region and analysis of diversified agriculture across the Brazilian territory," the statement added.