ISRO launches radar imaging observation satellite risat-2b
Also launches 9 satellites of 9 nations
Imaging also possible in cloudy weather
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) – In a predawn launch on 4th November, a PSLV rocket of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) placed RISAT-2B, an X-band microwave Earth observation satellite, into orbit 556 km above earth. Data from the satellite would be vital for the Armed Forces, agriculture forecasters and disaster relief agencies.
The new satellite “will enhance India’s all-weather [space-based] capabilities in agriculture, forestry and disaster management,” ISRO said.
In a post-launch address from the Sriharikota spaceport, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan hailed the ‘textbook launch’ of a very important and complex satellite.
Dr. Sivan described RISAT-2B as “an advanced Earth Observation satellite with an advanced technology of 3.6-metre radial rib [unfurlable] antenna”. After the satellite separated from the launcher, its solar arrays deployed automatically.