Chennai, May 21 (UNI) The 25-hour countdown for the launch
of RISAT-2B, a radar imaging earth observation satellite using
PSLV-C46, began at 0430 hrs on Tuesday morning in the
spaceport of Sriharikota, about 80 km from here.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sources said the
launch would take place from the First Launch Pad at 0530 hrs
early on Wednesday morning.
About 15 minutes after lift off, the 300 kg RISAT-2B will be placed
into an orbit of 555 km at an inclination of 37 deg to the equator.
Earlier, the Mission Readiness Review Committee met at SDSC
and after the Launch Authorisation Board gave its clearance, the
countdown commenced, during which propellant filling operations
would be taken up in the four-stage 44.4 metre tall vehicle.
RISAT-2B is the fourth flight unit of the RISAT programme and it
would be used for reconnaissance, strategic surveillance and
disaster management.
It uses an active SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) imager to provide
continuity of service for RISAT-2.
The launch of RISAT-2B will also mark resumption of a vital ring of
Indian all-seeing radar imaging satellites after seven years.
The sources said that when it was cloudy or dark, ‘regular’ remote
sensing or optical imaging satellites, which work like a light-dependent
camera, could not perceive hidden or surreptitious objects on the
ground.
Satellites that were equipped with an active sensor, the SAR could
sense or ‘observe’ Earth in a special way from space day and night,
rain or cloud.
This all-weather seeing feature is what makes them special for security
forces and disaster relief agencies.
The Indian space agency was planning to launch at least six such
satellites in the near future to add to the reconnaissance capability
from about 500 km in space, a constellation of such space-based
radars means a comprehensive vigil over the country.
RISAT-2B would be followed by RISAT-2BR1, 2BR2, RISAT-1A,
1B, 2A.
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