Isro launches second radar imaging satellite Risat-2B
22 May 2019
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India today launched its second radar imaging satellite, Risat-2B, which is capable of observing the earth from space even in cloudy conditions, giving a fresh impetus to the country’s satellite imaging capabilities.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully launched Risat-2B using its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C46) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota at 5:30 am today.
“PSLV-C46 lifted off at 05:30 hrs (IST) today from the first launch pad of SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota on is 72nd launch mission. The 'Core-Alone' configuration of PSLV was flown without the use of solid strap-on motors.
“About 15 minutes and 30 seconds after lift-off, Risat-2B was injected into an orbit of 555 km at an inclination of 37 degree to the equator,” Isro stated.
Risat-2B with a lift-off mass of 615 kg, is a radar imaging earth observation satellite. The satellite is intended to provide services to agriculture, forestry and disaster management domains, the release added.
Risat uses synthetic aperture radar to provide all-weather surveillance.
The mission carried an indigenously made Vikram processor, made by Semi-Conductor Laboratory, and a low-cost aided navigation system, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre S Somanath said, adding that the Vikram processor would become the workhorse for all Isro computers in future missions.
With a mission life of five years, the radar imaging earth observation satellite will also have military applications. Unlike the usual remote sensing and optical imaging satellites, a radar imaging satellite can penetrate through thick cloud cover and identify hidden objects on the ground.
U R Rao Satellite Centre director P Kunhikrishnan said Risat-2B carried a 3.6-metre unfoldable and deployable radial rib antenna.
The first satellite in the Risat series - Risat 2 - was launched on April 20, 2009. The 300kg satellite used an X-band synthetic aperture radar sensor made by Israel Aerospace Industries. Risat-1 launch was postponed to prioritise the launch of Risat-2 after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
Risat-1, an indigenously developed radar imaging satellite, was launched on 26 April 2012. All these satellites had a five-year mission life.
