Chennai, May 22 (UNI) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set for
yet another mission when it will launch RISAT-2B, a radar imaging earth observation
satellite using its workhorse launch vehicle PSLV-C46 from SHAR Range Sriharikota,
about 80 km from here, on May 22.
ISRO sources on Monday said the launch would take place from the First Launch Pad
at 0527 hrs early on Wednesday morning and the 300 kg RISAT-2B will be placed into
an orbit of 555 km with an inclination of 37 deg to the equator.
The Mission Readiness Review Committee would meet at SDSC and after the Launch
Authorisation Board gave its clearance, the countdown for the launch was expected to
commence tomorrow.
During the countdown, propellant filling operations would be carried out in the four-stage
44.4 metre tall vehicle.
The 300 kg 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 satellites.
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