ISRO places surveillance satellite RISAT-2BR1 in orbit

The 44.4-metre country’s most trusted workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) took off from the first launch pad at the Sriharikota spaceport precisely at 3.25 pm.

Soon after 16 minutes of travel, the 50th PSLV launch rocket injected RISAT-2RB1 into the required orbit. Subsequently, nine other satellites were also placed. The entire flight duration lasted about 21 minutes.

ISRO chairman K Sivan said that the PSLV rocket had injected the RISAT-2BR1 and nine customer satellites into precise orbit. “Along with 50th mission of PSLV rocket, the mission marks another milestone for ISRO. This is the 75th rocket launch from Sriharikota,” he added.

Hailing the ISRO’s team effort, Sivan said that RISAT-BR1 was a bit “complex” satellite, which was made in a short time. “Sivan said the PSLV rocket has five variants now. The rocket that first had a capacity to carry 850 kg, now has a carrying capacity of 1.9 ton”.

Since ISRO was also planning another mission later this month, Sivan expressed confidence all other future mission will be “grandsuccess”.

According to him, next year ISRO has a series of PSLV and GSLV missions. “We also have the maiden mission of SSLV (Small Satellite Launch vehicle) next year”, he added.

The main objective of spy RISAT-2BR1 for the usage of military purposes and to enhance the country’s border security through sky surveillance. The satellite, with have all weather capability to take images of the earth, is capable of taking sharp images from outer space even in overcast weather conditions.

Apart from enhancing ISRO’s capability for disaster management applications, RISAT-2 will also support in the field of agriculture and forest.

The international customer satellites were launched under a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO.

Successful PSLV’s 50th flight

As ISRO’s most trusted workhorse, PSLV has successfully accomplished its 50th mission from the spaceport of Sriharikota and also made a new history to complete 26 years of space journey.

With the launch of RISAT-2BR1 radar imaging satellite and nine foreign satellites today, ISRO has so far placed a staggering 319 foreign satellites in space in its history, also a new record.

Some of the important satellite that PSLV has placed successfully includeChandrayaan-1 and Mars Orbiter Mission.