Microsat-R
Microsat-R was claimed to be an earth observing satellite manufactured by DRDO[1] and launched by Indian Space Research Organisation for military use.[2]
Mission type | Earth Observation |
---|---|
Operator | DRDO[1] |
COSPAR ID | 2019-006A |
SATCAT no. | 43947 |
Spacecraft properties | |
Manufacturer | DRDO[1] |
Launch mass | 740 kilograms (1,630 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 24 January 2019 |
Rocket | PSLV-C44 |
Launch site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Sriharikota) |
Contractor | Indian Space Research Organization |
End of mission | |
Disposal | Destroyed in Orbit by ASAT (suspected) |
Destroyed | 27 March 2019 |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | SSO at 274 km altitude |
Launch
Microsat-R, along with KalamsatV2 as piggy-back, was launched on 24 January 2019[3] at 23:37 hrs from First Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The launch marks the 46th flight of PSLV.[4] After 13 minutes 26 seconds in flight, Microsat-R was injected at targeted altitude of about 277.2 km. This was the first flight of a new variant of PSLV called PSLV-DL with two strap-ons, each carrying 12.2-tonne of solid propellant.[5]
Anti-satellite test
Microsat-R served as target for Indian ASAT experiment on March 27, 2019.[6][7][8] The impact generated more than 400 pieces of orbital debris with 24 having apogee higher than ISS orbit.[9][10] According to initial assessment by DRDO some of the debris (depending on size and trajectory) should re-enter in 45 days.[11] A spokesperson from NASA disagreed, saying the debris could last for years because the solar minimum had contracted the atmosphere that would otherwise cause the debris to reenter.[12] Analysis from a leading space trajectory and environment simulation company AGI has also came to same conclusion that few debris fragments will take more than a year to come down and other debris fragments might pose a risk to other satellites and ISS and these results were also presented in the 35th Space Symposium at Colorado Springs.[13]
References
- "ISRO's first mission of 2019 to put military satellite Microsat-R in space". thehindu. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- "PSLV-C44, carrying India's experimental satellite Microsat-R and students' payload Kalamsat, lifts off". livemint.com. January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- "PSLV-C44 carrying India's military satellite Microsat-R, students' payload Kalamsat, launched". India Today. January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- "PSLV-C44 successfully launched Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 - ISRO". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
- Tejonmayam, U (January 25, 2019). "Isro's PSLV C-44 successfully places military satellite Microsat-R". Times of India. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- "Onmanorama Exclusive | DRDO's top secret A-SAT mission codenamed 'Project XSV-1'". OnManorama. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
- "Explained Mission Shakti | What is A-SAT and how it hit Microsat-R in 168 secs". OnManorama. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
- Foust, Jeff (27 March 2019). "India Tests Anti-Satellite Weapon". Space.com.
- "NASA: Debris From India's Anti-Satellite Test Raised Threat To Space Station". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
- "NASA's Orbital Debris Quarterly News Volume 23, Issue 3" (PDF). 2 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- "India says space debris from anti-satellite test to 'vanish' in 45..." Reuters. 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
- "SOLAR MINIMUM IS A TERRIBLE TIME TO BLOW UP A SATELLITE". spaceweather.com. 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
- "Indian ASAT Forensics - April 9, 2019 Update".