ISRO launches RISAT-2B

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its newest microwave earth observation satellite RISAT-2B from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota through its trusted workhorse PSLV-C46. The 615-kg RISAT-2B meant for application in fields such as surveillance, agriculture, forestry and disaster management support. It will replace the RISAT-2, which was launched in 2009. The new satellite will enhance India’s all-weather (space-based) capabilities in agriculture, forestry and disaster management. Its X-band synthetic aperture radar can give added details such as size of objects on Earth, structures, movement and change. The information will complement data from the normal optical remote-sensing satellites. Such data are useful for agencies that need ground imageries during cloud, rain and in the dark.