ISRO to Launch RISAT-2BR1 From Sriharikota on May 22

The latest satellite is advanced than the previous ones as the radar's X-band synthetic aperture radar can monitor in all-weather at any time.

New Delhi: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch an advanced Radar Imaging Satellite (Risat-2BR1) from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on May 22. The configuration of the new satellite is different from the one launched earlier.

The latest Risat-2BR1 comes with enhanced surveillance and imaging capabilities, stated a report. For instance, the  X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) of the satellite can monitor in all-weather and both in day and night time. Further, the satellite’s radar can distinguish two objects that are 1 m apart and can even penetrate clouds.

The RISAT 2BR1 will be launched on one of the variants of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket, stated sources. The rocket that would carry RISAT 2BR1 is designated as PSLV-C46 as per ISRO’s numbering system and will blast off from the first launch pad at the country’s rocket port in Sriharikota. Following the launch of RISAT 2BR1, ISRO will send up a cartography satellite Catosat-3. India will also launch two more defence satellites some time in July or August with its new rocket Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

Meanwhile, former ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar was on May 2 conferred with France’s highest civilian award – Chevalier de Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur – for his contribution to India-France space cooperation. Throughout his career at the ISRO, including as its chairman from 2015 to 2018, Kumar fostered the historic and ambitious space cooperation between India and France.

Notably, India is likely to make a landing on the moon on September 6 once the ISRO launches its second lunar mission ‘Chandrayaan-2’ between July 9 and July 16, stated a report. “All the modules are getting ready for Chandrayaan-2 launch during the window of July 09, to July 16, 2019, with an expected Moon landing on September 06, 2019 9 (sic),” said ISRO in a statement.

(With agency inputs)