C4ISR : Surveillance Satellite RISAT-2BR1 Launched

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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