The Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) has successfully launched and placed the two UK satellites named NovaSAR and S 1-4  into "Sun Synchronous Orbit" from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on September 16, 2018, at 10:08 pm. . These two UK satellites are Lifted Off by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle - C42 ( PSLV - C42 ). PSLV - C42 is the heaviest launch vehicle of ISRO.




It was the 44th flight of PSLV. The two UK Satellites - Novasar and S 1-4. The weighing of this two satellite is 450 kilogram each will be the main payload and the commercial launch was carried out under an arrangement between Surrey Satellite Technologies Limited (SSTL) and Isro’s commercial arm Antrix Corporation Limited. Both the satellites have been developed by Surrey Satellite Technologies Limited (SSTL), the United Kingdom under a commercial arrangement with Antrix Corporation Limited, Department of Space and launched by ISRO.


Purpose  Of Launching Two Satellites

 Behind the launching of two satellites, UK Space Agency and ISRO both had some purpose. These purposes are as follows -

Purpose Of Launching NovaSAR - 

As by name we can easily conclude that it contains Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)  payload which has a dedicated maritime mode and designed with a very wide swath area (400-km) to enable the monitoring of the marine environment, and will provide direct radar ship detection information simultaneously with AIS ship tracking data to assist with the identification and tracking of sea-going vessels. Britain’s Surrey Satellite Technology Limited integrated S-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in NovaSAR intended for forest mapping, land use, ice cover monitoring, flood and disaster monitoring.

Related Article -  ISRO gears up full-fledged commercial launch of two british satellites

Purpose Of Launching S1-4

S1-4 is a high-resolution Optical Earth Observation Satellite, used for surveying resources, environment monitoring, urban management and for the disaster monitoring.

 Benefits Of ISRO Behind Satellite Launch

The commercial arm of ISRO, Antrix Corporation earned more than ₹220 crore on the launch of the two satellites owned by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).

By launching the more Satellites ISRO wish to achieve the Lion's share of global market. Unfortunately, ISRO still holds a minuscule 0.6% share in the global satellite launch market which is estimated to be worth thirty six thousand crore Indian rupees.


This was the first commercial satellite launch of this year by ISRO. The satellites were launched by ISRO after almost six month gap. The Indian Space Research Organisation launched two dedicated commercial satellites.

Just hours before the launch, S Somanath [ Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSCC) said: “When I joined Isro in 1985, the PSLV was still on paper, and the only rocket we had was SLV-3, the ASLV was struggling with people ridiculing us and asking when it will reach space. It had earned the moniker of Always Sea Launch Vehicle (ASLV) as it kept failing and landing in water. To see PSLV grow from an idea and to become Isro’s workhorse is a great feeling.”

 K Sivan, Chairman of ISRO said " The mission was a success and congratulated the scientists involved in the mission. Today I am extremely happy to announce that PSLV-C42 carrying two customer satellites NovaSAR and S1-4 placed them precisely in orbit. Within the next six months, 10 satellite missions and eight launch vehicle missions would be launched – one every two weeks,”