India's all-weather defence surveillance satellite -- radar imaging satellite (RISAT-2) -- and the micro education satellite Anusat were successfully placed in orbit by an Indian rocket that flew from spaceport of Sriharikota in South India's Andhra Pradesh early Monday morning.
India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-12 blasts off from the southern Indian city of Chennai, April 20, 2009. [Agencies]
The Israeli-built spy satellite RISAT-2 will primarily keep an eye on the country's borders round-the-clock and help in anti-infiltration and anti-terrorist operations.
The micro education satellite Anusat, built by Anna University and having a life span of one year, will carry out drought and wasteland monitoring, urban planning and other studies
According to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), India had launched Israel's TecSAR surveillance satellite from Sriharikota in January 2008.
With the launch of 300-kg RISAT-2, ISRO will have nine remote sensing satellites in orbit.
Another remote sensing satellites Oceansat-2 is slated for launch this June or July using PSLV.
Following that will be the launch of GSAT with Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) that will be fitted with indigenous cryogenic engine. The yearend will see the launch of remote sensing satellite Resourcesat and communications satellite INSAT 3D.
