India’s first astronomy satellite launched into space

Recently, an Indian astronomical observatory was launched into space. This astronomy satellite was sent out for the purpose of researching black holes and neuron stars. According to Spaceflightnow.com, The Astrosat spacecraft — joined by six smaller secondary payloads from Indonesia, Canada and the United States — lifted off at 0430 GMT (12:30 a.m. EDT) on top of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.

              Six strap-on rocket motors and a solid-fueled first stage combined to push the 145-foot-tall rocket off the launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Center on India’s east coast with 2 million pounds of thrust.

Liquid-fueled and solid-fueled engines took turns firing to propel the PSLV’s payloads into space, and a twin-engine hydrazine-fed fourth stage guided Astrosat and its companions into a nearly perfect orbit with a high point of 404 miles (651 kilometers) and a low point of 400 miles (644 kilometers).

This is the third consecutive launch in three months for India and shows that it’s on track to bring in information from space and make India a global competitor in the space race. The United States and Europe have had many space observatories launched into space, but this one is the first space observatory for India. While this one may be smaller, it’s geared towards understanding the processes behind neuron stars and black holes. A press kit by the Indian Space Organization reads, ““Astrosat’s five payloads are chosen to facilitate a deeper insight into the various astrophysical processes occurring in the various types of astronomical objects constituting our universe.”

To conclude, small satellites continue to showcase their use through arenas of the public and private sector in many versatile ways. Their costs and effectiveness has now gone from allowing nonprofits and schools to enter the space race to new countries as well.