PSLV-C46/Risat-2B mission a success, Isro places radar imaging earth observation satellite in orbit

CHENNAI: Eight years after launching the last satellite in the Risat series, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) began the expansion of its radar imaging satellite fleet in space with the successful launch of Risat-2B onboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on Wednesday morning. Risat uses synthetic aperture radar to provide all-weather surveillance.
PSLV-C46 carrying Risat 2B -- which weighs 615kg -- lifted off from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 5.30am, as scheduled. It was the 48th flight of PSLV and the 14th flight in 'core-alone' configuration where solid strap-on motors were not used. It was the third launch by Isro in 2019.
Around 15 minutes after the lift-off, the four-stage rocket successfully placed the satellite in a 557km circular orbit. With a mission life of five years, the radar imaging earth observation satellite developed by Isro, with its X-band radar, will provide services in the fields of agriculture, forestry and disaster management support.
It will have military applications, as well. 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.
PSLV-C46/Risat-2B mission seen from Chennai (TOI photo)
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 April 26, 2012. All these satellites had a five-year mission life.