India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C46) on Wednesday successfully launched the RISAT-2B satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
This was the 72nd launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 36th launch from the First Launchpad. PSLV-C46 lifted-off at 5.30 am from the First Launch Pad and injected RISAT-2B into an orbit of 556 km, about 15 minutes and 25 seconds after lift-off.
After separation, the solar arrays of RISAT-2B were deployed automatically and ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru assumed control of the satellite.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in the coming days, the satellite will be brought to its final operational configuration.
RISAT-2B is a radar imaging earth observation satellite weighing about 615 kg. The satellite is designed to provide services in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster Management.
ISRO Chairman K Sivan said, “With this launch, PSLV lofts 50 tonnes to space by launching 354 satellites, including national, student and foreign satellites.”
He commended the efforts of the team involved in the realization of the piggyback payload carried onboard this mission, the Vikram processor and the low-cost MEMS-based Inertial Navigation System (INS) developed by the Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh and ISRO Inertial Systems Unit, Thiruvananthapuram respectively.
RISAT-2B, he said, is an advanced earth observation satellite with the advanced technology of 3.6m radial rib antenna.
About 5,000 visitors witnessed the launch live from the Viewer’s Gallery, open to the public. ISRO is now gearing up for the launch of Chandrayaan-2 onboard GSLV MkIII during the window of July 09, to July 16, 2019. The expected Moon landing is on September 6, 2019.