The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the surveillance satellite RISAT-2BR1 from Sriharikota, on 11 December, on board the workhorse PSLV-C48 rocket that was its 50th mission. Along with the indigenous RISAT-2BR1 satellite, nine foreign satellites (six satellites from the United States and one each from Italy, Japan and Israel) were also launched on board the rocket. Earlier, on 27 November, ISRO had launched the earth imaging and mapping satellite CARTOSAT-3.
The launch was also the 75th launch vehicle mission from Sriharikota. About 7000 visitors witnessed the launch live. In 16 minutes after launch, RISAT-2BR1, weighs about 628 kg, was slung into an orbit of 576 km above Earth. It is expected to serve the forces for around 5 years.
After separation, the two solar arrays of RISAT-2BR1 were deployed automatically and the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network at Bengaluru assumed control of the satellite.
The nine foreign customer satellites were launched under a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), were precisely injected into their designated orbits.
The new satellite gives the armed forces a shot in the arm with its ability to identify objects separated by 35cms. So in case of any future surgical strikes, the armed forces will be able to keep track of the developments continuously before and after they hit the designated targets and get military-grade images.
The 628kg RISAT-2BR1 satellite is meant for applications in various fields like agriculture, forestry and disaster management support, as well as military purposes. Its earlier version, RISAT-2B, was placed successfully in orbit in May 2019.
The PSLV has placed around 310 foreign satellites with the first mission in September 1993. PSLV’s payload capacity has increased from 860 kg to 1.9 tonnes and the “versatile vehicle” has carried 52.7 tonne so far, 17 per cent of which was customer satellites. Some significant launches by PSLV include Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and the record launch of 104 satellites in one go earlier.
ISRO plans to launch RISAT-1A in 2020. It will be a Radar imaging satellite, with its configuration similar to RISAT-1. It is a land-based mission with primary application in terrain mapping and analysis of land, ocean and water surface for soil moisture.
The first dual-band radar imaging satellite with Synthetic Aperture Radar, NISAR, a joint project between NASA and ISRO (NISAR) to be used for remote sensing, will be launched in 2022.
Indian Military Satellites
RISAT-2, or Radar Imaging Satellite 2
Launched on 20 April 2009
Main sensor – X-band synthetic aperture radar
To monitor India’s borders
Mass of 300 kilograms
Day-night, all-weather monitoring capability
Cartosat-2 Earth observation satellite
Sun-synchronous orbit
Weight 680 kg
Launched on 10 January 2007.
panchromatic (PAN) camera
Swath covered 9.6 km
Spatial resolution less than 1 metre.
Cartosat-2A Earth observation satellite
Sun-synchronous orbit
Launched on 28 April 2008
Panchromatic (PAN) camera
CARTOSAT 2B Earth observation satellite
Sun-synchronous orbit
Launched on 12 July 2010 C
Carries a panchromatic (PAN) camera
Cartosat-2E Earth observation satellite
Launched on 23 June 2017
Mass 712 kilograms
Sun-synchronous orbit
Panchromatic Camera (PAN)
High-Resolution Multi-Spectral radiometer
Resolution of 2 metres.
GSAT-7 or INSAT-4F multi-band military communications satellite
For the Indian Navy
Launched 30 August 2013.
Payloads in UHF, C band and Ku band.
Weight 2,650 kilograms
Geosynchronous orbit
2,000 nautical mile ‘footprint’ over the Indian Ocean Region
GSAT-7A military communications satellite
For the Indian Air Force and Indian Army
Interlinks ground radar stations, ground airbase, aircraft to aircraft
Real-time Control System, AWACSaircraft
Payload 10 Ku band transponders
Weight 2,250 kilograms
Launched on 19 December 2018
HySIS Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite
Earth observation satellite
Provides hyperspectral imaging services
Payload Visible Near Infrared (VNIR)
Shortwave Infrared Range (SWIR)
Spatial resolution 30 meters
Swath of 30 km
Sun-synchronous orbit.
Launched 29 November 2018
Features of Cartosat-3 Satellite
Mean Altitude – 509 km
Mean Inclination (in degree) – 97.5
Overall Mass – 1625 kg
Power Generation – 2000W
Mission Life – 5 Years
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RISAT-2BR1 Satellite 2
RISAT-2BR1 is a synthetic-aperture radar imaging satellite for reconnaissance built by Indian Space Research Organisation. It is part of India’s RISAT series of SAR imaging spacecrafts and fourth satellite in the series. Launch date: 11 December 2019
Manufacturer: ISRO
Launch mass: 628 kg
Perigee altitude: 560 km
Apogee altitude: 560 km
Rocket: PSLV-QL C48
Mission type: Radar imaging
Mission duration: Planned 5 years
Application: Disaster Management System
Earth Observation
Orbit Type: LEO
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