Press Trust of IndiaMar 09, 2021 17:46:15 IST
India plans to launch on March 28 an earth observation satellite that can present it close to real-time photos of its borders and likewise allow fast monitoring of pure disasters. GISAT-1 is slated to be lifted into area by GSLV-F10 rocket from Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district, about 100 km north of Chennai. “We are looking to launch this Geo imaging satellite on 28 March 28, subject to weather conditions”, an official of the Bengaluru-headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) advised PTI on Sunday.
The rocket will place the spacecraft in a geosynchronous orbit. It will probably be subsequently positioned in geostationary orbit, about 36,000 km above the earth’s equator, utilizing its onboard propulsion system.
The launch of GISAT-1 onboard GSLV-F10 rocket was initially deliberate for five March final 12 months however postponed a day earlier than the blast-off due to technical causes.
Experts mentioned positioning the state-of-the-art agile earth observation satellite in geostationary orbit has key benefits.
“It’s going to be a game-changer in some sense for India”, a Department of Space official mentioned. “With onboard high-resolution cameras, the satellite will allow the country to monitor the Indian landmass and the oceans, particularly its borders continuously”.
The first Geo Imaging Satellite that was supposed to launch on 5 March 2020 however was postponed due to technical causes. Image credit score: ISRO
Listing the aims of the mission, ISRO has earlier mentioned the satellite would supply close to real-time imaging of the massive space area of curiosity at frequent intervals. It would assist in fast monitoring of pure disasters, episodic and any short-term occasions.
The third goal is to receive spectral signatures of agriculture, forestry, mineralogy, catastrophe warning, cloud properties, snow and glacier and oceanography.
GISAT-1 will facilitate close to real-time observation of the Indian sub-continent, below cloud-free situation, at frequent intervals, ISRO mentioned.
The deliberate launch of GISAT-1, weighing about 2,268 kg, comes shut on the heels of the profitable February 28 PSLV- C51 mission that orbited Brazil’s earth observation satellite Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passengers, together with 5 constructed by college students.
Secretary of the Department of Space and ISRO Chairman Ok Sivan advised PTI final week that the technical points that led to the postponement of the GISAT-1 mission have been resolved and the additional delay within the launch was due to COVID-19-induced lockdown which affected regular work.
According to sources, GISAT-1 will probably be adopted by the maiden flight of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, ISRO’s compact launcher, seemingly in April.
SSLV has been designed to meet “launch on-demand” necessities in a cheap method for small satellites in a devoted and ride-share mode.
It is a three-stage all stable car with a functionality to launch up to 500 kg satellite mass into 500 km low earth orbit (LEO) and 300 kg into Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
By comparability, PSLV — the workhorse launch car of ISRO — can take up to 1,750 kg payload into SSO of 600 km altitude.
With a decrease per kg launch value, the mini launcher can have a number of satellite mounting choices for nano, micro and small satellites.
Sivan had earlier termed the SSLV an modern car that may be assembled in simply 72 hours.
“Instead of 60 days (for building a PSLV), it (SSLV) will be assembled in three days; instead of 600 people (needed to build a PSLV), it (SSLV) will be done by six people”, he had mentioned.