Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has revised the schedule launch of geo imaging satellite GISAT-1 on board GSLV-F10 rocket after a minor issue occurred with the spacecraft.
Highlights
The spacecraft was scheduled to be launched on March 28. But due to minor issue, it will now be launched on April 18 from Sriharikota spaceport. Originally, it was scheduled to be launched on March 5, 2020 but it was postponed due to technical reasons.
Geo Imaging Satellite or GISAT
GSAT is an Indian imaging satellite class for the geostationary orbit. It comprises of a high temporal resolution which helps in providing near real time imaging along with fast revisit capability besides real time monitoring. Two identical satellites will be providing resolution in range of 42 to 318 m. It will also carry multi-spectral multi-resolution imaging instruments. GISAT-1 is first state-of- the-art agile earth observation satellite. It will be placed in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit by GSLV-F10.
Capabilities of satellite
Weighing about 2268 kg, the satellite will facilitate near real-time observation of Indian sub-continent at frequent intervals, under cloud-free condition. It will produce selected field image in every 5 minutes. It will provide image of entire Indian landmass every 30 minutes at 42 m spatial resolution.
Features of GISAT-1
Satellites comprises of a 700 mm Ritchey–Chretien telescope based on design of Cartosat-2A. It has also installed Array detectors in Visible and Near-InfraRed (VNIR) and Short Wave-InfraRed (SWIR) bands.
Earth Observation Satellites
Earth Observation Satellites of ISRO has successfully establish many operational applications across the country. There are large number of users who utilise the space-based inputs for several purposes at Central as well as State level. Some important missions of ISRO which has enabled unique applications of space-based imaging include Cartosat-1, Cartosat-2, Resourcesat-1, Resourcesat-2, Oceansat-1, Oceansat-2, Risat-1, Megha-Tropiques, INSAT series, SARAL, Scatsat etc.