Lift Off

India proves its technological prowess yet again by flawlessly launching the RISAT – 2 and the ANUSAT satellites on 20th April at 6:45 am (on schedule). The launch showcases the scientific capability of the ISRO and the efficiency of its trustworthy Polar Launch Satellite Vehicle (PSLV – C12), which put the satellites into orbit. The PSLV, of recent Chandrayaan-1 fame, is one of the most reputed launch vehicles in the world and has already launched 14 Indian and 16 foreign satellites.

The RISAT-2 is a 300 kg Radar Imaging Satellite which is equipped with Synthetic-aperture Radar (SAR) technology. SAR, which replaces a single large rotating antenna (used by conventional radar) with many small stationary antennas, is most useful for defence mapping as it enables the processing of high resolution images irrespective of visibility and weather conditions. Apart from this, the increased earth mapping capabilities can be extremely useful in tackling agricultural issues and natural disasters. SAR makes India, which was previously dependent on US and Canadian satellites, capable of independent monitoring.

The international significance of SAR lies in the fact that it has been developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries. After the launch of Israel’s TecSAR using India’s PSLV rocket in January 2008, this collaboration marks a new chapter in India-Israel relations, which have been kept low key but are becoming increasingly important.

The extent of the use of RISAT-2 as a ‘spy satellite’ is not very clear. The ISRO chief Madhavan Nair, who can’t be blamed for being diplomatic, emphasises on the mapping of natural disasters and agricultural land while ignoring the military surveillance aspect completely. At the opposite spectrum an article in the Times of India calls the RISAT-2 “India’s eye on its borders with Pakistan, China & Bangladesh”. Whatever the case may be, the satellite will definitely strengthen India’s counter-terrorism and military operations.

Another key element of the mission is the replacement of a thirty year old computer system by the new ‘‘Advance Mission Computer and Telemetry System’, which guides the PSLV from launch till the injection of satellites. This makes India more self-reliant and adds to the list of ISRO’s achievements.

Apart from the RISAT-2, the launch of ANUSAT will also have a significant impact, particularly on research in Indian technological institutes. The Anna University Satellite (ANUSAT), the first satellite to be jointly developed by an Indian university and the ISRO, will be used to transfer confidential academic material and to monitor drought, wastelands etc. The successful launch of this store-and-forward communication satellite will motivate other universities to increase satellite based practical research and investment in student projects.

The PSLV-C12, RISAT-2 & ANUSAT stand for India’s excellence in the field of science and technology and enhance the reputation of Indian research and educational institutions in the global domain. Let us hope India can tap more of its technological potential, and use it to tackle glaring environmental and agrarian issues rather than limiting it to the enhancement of nuclear and defence capabilities.