One more 'eye in the sky' for India as ISRO set to launch Risat-2BR1 satellite on May 22

After stunning success of ‘Mission Shakti’ that paved way for India in elite space club, ISRO is set to launch radar imaging satellite Risat-2BR1 from Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on May 22 later this month. According to a report in Times of India, this satellite is the most advanced version in its entire series. Superior surveillance and imaging capabilities are the core points of the Risat-2BR1 satellite, the report said. It also added that the imaging capabilities are so advanced that the satellite can zoom into the clouds with a precise resolution of 1 metre. In simple terms it means that it can ‘see’ objects on the ground at least two or three times a day.

In geo-strategic terms, this means that India can now keep a close eye on the launchpads across the Line of Control and other such movements on various border posts. The satellite will also boost India’s capabilities of keep a watch on its waterways. With a very active China in the international waters, the Risat-2BR1 will help India in naval surveillance.

Chandrayaan-2

While Risat-2BR1 will be ISRO’s main priority this month, the space agency isb also working on the ambitious Chandrayaan-2. Seeking to create history with India's second moon mission Chandrayaan-2, space agency ISRO Friday said it will attempt to launch a rover in the lunar South Pole, a uncharted territory so far. "Till date nobody has made an attempt to land a rover in the region. It has been only near the equator (of the Moon).We will be attempting to launch the rover (of Chandrayaan 2) in lunar South Pole for the first time", Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Sivan had said. Earlier, ISRO had said all three modules of the moon mission -- Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan) -- were getting ready for the launch scheduled in July and the lander was expected to touch down on the lunar surface in early September.

ISRO has kept the launch window for the mission onboard GSLV MK-III rocket from July 9 to July 16 with an expected Moon landing on September 6.