PSLV-C46 successfully launches RISAT-2B
Sriharikota (AP), : India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
(PSLV-C46) on Wednesday successfully launched RISAT-2B satellite
from Satish Dhawan Space Centre(SDSC) SHAR here.
PSLV-C46 lifted-off at 0530 hrs from the First Launch Pad and injected
RISAT-2B into a orbit of 556 km, about 15 minutes and 25 seconds after
lift-off.
After separation, solar arrays of RISAT-2B were deployed automatically
and ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bengaluru
took control of the satellite.
ISRO said in the coming days, the satellite will be brought to its final operational
configuration.
RISAT-2B, a radar imaging earth observation satellite weighing about 615 kg. is
intended to provide services in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster
Management.
Speaking after the successful mission, ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan termed
it as a textbook launch of a very important and complex satellite.
He said the satellite carried two important secondary or “piggyback” trial ”
payloads that would revolutionise ISRO’s future missions.”
Congratulating the launch vehicle and satellite teams involved in the mission,
Dr Sivan said ‘with this launch, PSLV lofts 50 tonnes to space by launching
354 satellites, including national, student and foreign satellites.”
He also commended the efforts of the team involved in the realization
of the piggyback payload carried onboard this mission namely, Vikram
processor and low cost MEMS based Inertial Navigation System (INS)
developed by Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh and ISRO
Inertial Systems Unit, Thiruvananthapuram respectively.
He also said RISAT-2B is an advanced Earth Observation satellite
with an advanced technology of 3.6m unfurlable radial rib antenna.
This was the 72nd launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, and 36th
launch from the First Launch pad.
A total number of 5,000 visitors witnessed the launch live from the
Viewer’s Gallery, which was opened
to the public.
ISRO is now gearing up for the launch of Chandrayaan-2 onboard
GSLV MkIII during the window of July 9, to July 16, 2019, with
an expected Moon landing on September 6, 2019.
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