Why in News?

• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) has recently launched the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)-C55/TeLEOS-2 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh

Highlights

• This is the 57^th flight of PSLV and 16^th mission using the PSLV Core Alone configuration (PSLV-CA).
• It is a dedicated commercial mission through NSIL (NewSpace India Limited) with TeLEOS-2 as primary satellite and Lumelite-4 as a co-passenger satellite, both belonging to Singapore.
• The scientists used PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-2 (POEM-2) as an orbital platform to carry out the scientific experiments through non-separating payloads carried by it.
• It Is an Earth Observation Satellite (EOS) and will be the primary satellite being carried by the rocket.
• In 2015, ISRO launched TeLEOS-1, which was launched into a low Earth orbit for remote sensing applications. ISRO has so far launched nine satellites belonging to Singapore.
• TeLEOS-2 carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload capable of imaging at 1m full-polarimetric resolution. It will be able to provide all-weather day and night coverage.
• SAR is a type of active radar imaging technology that uses the motion of the radar antenna to create a high-resolution 3D image of the target area.
• It Is an advanced 12U satellite developed for the technological demonstration of the High-Performance Space-borne VHF Data Exchange System (VDES).
• “12U” refers to a standardized form factor for CubeSats, which are small satellites with a modular design.
• In the 12U form factor, the CubeSat measures 24 x 24 x 36 cm and has a volume of 20.7 liters.
• It aims to augment Singapore’s e-navigation maritime safety and benefit the global shipping community.
• It is the co-passenger satellite being sent along with TeLEOS-2