Recently the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) effectively launched an Earth observation satellite, RISAT-2BR1, along with 9 other commercial satellites of four foreign nations onboard the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) C48. The satellite was lifted off from SDSC (Satish Dhawan Space Centre) in Sriharikota. A statement circulated by ISRO following the successful launch of the satellite stated, “RISAT-2BR1 satellite is effectively positioned in the orbit by PSLV C48. All 9 client satellites (from Italy, Israel, Japan, and the U.S.) are successfully located in their designated orbit by PSLV C48.”

The television images showed the rocket released from the launch pad emitting a clear orange flame from its tail and going upward in the sky. As reported by ISRO, PSLV-C48 is the 50th operation of PSLV. The RISAT-2BR1 is a radar imaging Earth surveillance satellite weighing 628 Kg. ISRO stated it was positioned in an orbit of 576 Km at a leaning angle of 37°. The 9 customer satellites—1 each from Italy, Israel, and Japan, and 6 from the U.S.—were launched under a commercial agreement between these nations and NSIL (New Space India Limited), Department of Space, India. In November, ISRO effectively launched Cartosat-3 and Cartosat-13 nanosatellites in the Sun-synchronous orbit aboard PSLV-C47.

Similarly, the ISRO was in news for seeking additional financial support for the Chandrayaan-3 mission in November 2020. The Indian space agency has requested an extra distribution of INR 75 Crore over and above the current budget for the country’s next lunar mission Chandrayaan-3—that is anticipated to be launched by November 2020. The ISRO has claimed 11% extra funds than the existing planned budget of INR 666 Crore. According to a news agency Times of India, the funding has been requested under the stipulation of an additional budget for the financial year 2019–2020 for the Chandrayaan-3 mission.