Indian Spy Satelite RISAT-2

In its fifteenth mission carried out from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR
(SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota today (April 20, 2009), ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C12) successfully placed two satellites – RISAT-2 and ANUSAT – in the desired orbit.

RISAT-2 is a Radar Imaging Satellite with capability to take images of the earth during day and night as well as cloudy conditions. At the time of launch, RISAT-2 weighed about 300 kg and was realised by ISRO in association with Israel Aerospace Industries. The satellite was placed in
an orbit of 550 km height with an inclination of 41 deg to the equator and an orbital period of about 90 minutes. This satellite will enhance ISRO’s capability for earth observation, especially during floods, cyclones, landslides and management of disasters in a more effective way.

RISAT 2 (Radar Imaging Satellite 2) is a satellite imaging mission of ISRO using an active SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) imager. The RISAT 2 payload was purchased from Israel as the development of Indias indigenous RISAT 1 was delayed. The radar system is based on the Israeli TECSAR satellite, while it is mounted on an indian satellite bus.

RISAT 2 was launched as the sole passenger on an Indian PSLVCA launch vehicle together with a small piggy-back satellite.