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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the first radar imaging satellite (RISAT) and the micro education satellite, ANUSAT from Sriharikota on Monday (April 20) morning. Both the satellites were successfully placed in the orbit. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of ISRO lifted both the satellites at about 6.45 am. The imaging satellite RISAT was placed in its orbit, about 540 km above the earth, after 17 minutes of its launch.
On the other hand, the other satellite called ANUSAT was placed at its intended orbit which is about 10 km away from that of RISAT. The Spacecraft Control Centre at Bangalore with the help of ISTRAC network of stations at Bangalore, Lucknow, Mauritius and other paces started to monitor the launched satellite immidiately. As of now, both the satellites have started to operate without any hassles.
While commenting on the launch of the satellites, ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair said that it has been a great achievement on the part of the country's space agency in the current year. He added that everything has been executed as per the plans and both the satellites were orbited successfully. Informing about the upcoming plans of ISRO, Madhavan stated that the space research agency is considering to launch resourcesat, oceansat and other satellites in the current year. Indigenously developed cryogenic engine will also be inducted, added the ISRO chairman.
