Bangalore: After the successful Chandrayaan-I moon mission, Indian Space Research Organisation is now getting ready for a twin launch - a "breakthrough" Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) and ANUSAT.
Bangalore-headquartered ISRO is targeting a March last week date for launching them on board the indigenously built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Sriharikota spaceport.
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Indian space scientists see the 1,780-kg Risat as a major milestone for the country as far as remote sensing satellites are concerned. RISAT mission would have a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, operating in a multi-polarisation and multi-resolution mode.
SAR, being an active sensor, operating in the microwave range of electromagnetic spectrum, provides the target parameters such as dielectric constant, roughness, and geometry, and has the unique capability for day-night imaging, and imaging in all weather conditions including fog and haze, and also provide information on soil moisture.Special: Destination Moon - Launch of Chandrayaan- I
"So far, all satellites launched by ISRO are optical remote sensing satellites. But RISAT will have all other capabilities," ISRO spokesperson S Satish told PTI.
RISAT is capable of taking pictures during night as well and even in cloud-covered conditions, an expertise Indian remote sensing satellites did not have previously.
"This will be a major breakthrough as far as remote sensing projects are concerned, especially during cloudy season or during flood season...this will be of great advantage", Satish said. "It can see through the clouds".
SAR payload is based on an active phased array technology using transmit/receive modules, which would provide necessary electronic agility for achieving the multi-mode capability, providing spatial resolutions of three metres to 50 metres, and ten kms to 240 kms swath modes to cater to different applications.
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ANUSAT, a 35-kg micro-satellite designed by Chennai-based Anna University, would be the co-passenger on board the PSLV.
ANUSAT mission's main objective is to involve universities in building micro satellites as a means to promote and encourage intra-disciplinary technologies with ISRO's help.ANUSAT carries a digital store and forward payload for amateur communication. In addition, a number of technological payloads such as digital receiver and turbo coder, MEMS-based gyro and magnetic field sensor are planned to be flown on board. Structure, solar panels, chemical battery, sensors and actuators had been supplied by ISRO while payloads and other satellite subsystems were designed and fabricated at Anna University.
"ANUSAT will give first-hand exposure to students in the university towards building a satellite", Satish said.
