The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched the PSLV-C43/HysIS mission . This mission,used a polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), puts HysIS – India’s own earth observation satellite, into orbit. The satellite was accompanied by 30 other satellites developed by various nations, including 23 from the US.The eight countries whose foreign satellites are being delivered by PSLVC43 are the US (22 nano satellites and one micro satellite), Australia (1), Canada (1), Colombia (1), Finland (1), Malaysia (1), Netherlands (1) and Spain (1)

                      The objective of the probe is to provide observations within the visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. Simply put, the imaging tools will help the HysIS satellite monitor atmospheric activity and climate change, while also assisting studies of Earth’s magnetic field. These observations will have a host of applications, prime among which relate to agriculture, forestry, water management, and coastal patterns.  Hyperspectral or hyspex imaging combines the power of digital imaging and spectroscopy It collects and processes information and enables distinct identification of objects, material or  or processes on the Earth by reading the spectrum for each pixel of a scene from space. 

                   HysIS, which can see in 55 spectral or colour bands from 630  km above the ground, carries two payloads. One to capture images in the visible near-infrared (VNIR) range of the light spectrum and another in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) range. 
                                                           LEARNING WITH TIMES

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV is capable of launching 1600 kg satellites in 620 km sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1050 kg satellite in geo-synchronous transfer orbit. In the standard configuration, it measures 44.4 m tall, with a lift off weight of 295 tonnes. PSLV has four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately. The first stage is one of the largest solid propellant boosters in the world and carries 139 tonnes of propellant. A cluster of six strap-on is attached to the first stage motor. PSLV-C43 is a core-alone version of the launch vehicle, and the lightest one in operation. This launch marks the 13th successful flight of this PSLV model.

Sun-Synchronous orbit; The satellite travels from the north to the south poles as the Earth turns below it.   The satellite passes over the same part of the Earth at roughly the same local time each day. These orbits allows a satellite to pass over a section of the Earth at the same time of day.

                     These satellites orbit at an altitude between 700 to 800 km. These orbits are used for satellites that need a constant amount of sunlight. Satellites that take pictures of the Earth would work best with bright sunlight, while satellites that measure longwave radiation would work best in complete darkness. When a satellite has a sun-synchronous orbit, it means that it has a constant sun illumination through inclination and altitude. For sun-synchronous orbits, it passes over any given point on Earth’s surface at the same local solar time.