In a sensational development, India on Wednesday launched its latest spy satellite identified as RISAT-2BR1 on its 50th mission.
In case you didn’t know, RISAT-2BR1 is a radar imaging earth observation satellite which was developed by India’s space agency Indian Space Research Organisation. The satellite is meant for application in fields like agriculture and disaster management support, which has a mission life period of five years.
Besides this satellite, nine foreign satellites were also launched through the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Six satellites from the United States and one each from Japan, Italy and Israel- their applications range from remote sensing to earth imaging.
It is to be noted that the launch vehicle, PSLV-C48, took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 3.25 pm. RISAT-2BR1 and all nine customer satellites have also been placed in orbit.
Today’s successful launch also marks achievements other than PSLV’s 50th mission, it is also the 75th launch vehicle mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, and the sixth launch of 2019.
As per Indian space agency, the co-passenger satellites were launched under a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). The 628 kg satellite, meant for applications in different fields like agriculture, forestry and disaster management support.
Previously, ISRI Chairman Dr K Sivan offered prayers at the Tirupati Balaji temple in Tirumala ahead of the launch of satellites from PSLV C48.
While addressing the reporters at the press conference, he had said that PSLV C48 is a historic achievement by Indian space agency ISRO as this is the 50th launch for PSLV and 75th launch from Sriharikota.