Dhruva Space tests satellite orbital deployer onboard PSLV

Subject : Science and Technology

Section: Space

Context:

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C53 mission that placed in orbit three foreign satellites, also proved to be a testbed for Dhruva Space’s Satellite Orbital Deployer (DSOD-1U).

Dhruva Space tests satellite

Homegrown space sector start-up Dhruva Space has tested and space-qualified its satellite orbital deployer, setting the stage for its plans to launch indigenously built satellites soon.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C53 mission that placed in orbit three foreign satellites, also proved to be a testbed for Dhruva Space’s Satellite Orbital Deployer (DSOD-1U), that holds the satellites on the launch vehicle and releases them in orbit.

The successful test of DSOD-1U has cleared the way for launch of Dhruva Space’s satellite missions Thybolt-1 and Thybolt-2 onboard PSLV’s C54 mission.
The deployer testing and review support from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), commercial launch opportunity through New Space India limited (NSIL) and authorisation support from Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) in efforts to build indigenous capability in the domain of small satellite technology has been invaluable to the success of this space-qualification.

Dhruva Space

Dhruva Space Private Limited is an Indian private aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Hyderabad, India.
The company is engaged in the development of small satellites in the commercial, governmental and academic markets. It provides full-stack space-engineering solutions across launch, space and ground segments.

What is PSLV-C53 mission?

The mission injected three Singaporean satellites into their intended orbits.
The mission also served an additional purpose for ISRO, which decided to use the fourth stage, the PS4, as a stationary platform in orbit to conduct scientific experiments.

PSLV:

It is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. It consists of four stages.