ISRO launches earth observation satellite RISAT-2B

Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully launched its earth observation satellite RISAT-2B from Sriharikota.  ISRO's trusted workhorse PSLV-C46 carrying RISAT-2B blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 5:30 this morning. 

The 615 kg satellite was released into the orbit 15 minutes after the lift-off. 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.

Soon after the launch, ISRO Chairman K Sivan said this particular mission is really important in the sense that PSLV has crossed a landmark of launching 50 tonnes into space. 

He said, there are several new features in RISAT-2B. Dr Sivan said, it is having expanded Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) making it an advanced earth observation satellite, operating in spotlight mode, mode and mosaic mode.