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India Launches Risat-1; China Says It's Spy Satellite
India successfully launched an indigenous microwave Radar Imaging Satellite, Risat-1, from the spaceport at Sriharikota in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh Thursday.The satellite, which can provide high resolution pictures and microwave imaging useful for disaster prediction, agriculture forestry and defense, has been termed a "spy satellite" by China's Xinhua news agency. Both could be right... The satellite, built by the scientists at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), has a life span of five years. PSLV- C19, transporting the 1,858 kg Risat-1 to its orbit, roared into the skies at 5:47 am from the launch pad No 1 at Sriharikota, amidst resounding cheers of ISRO scientists. Risat-1 is the heaviest satellite PSLV has launched into an orbit since 1993. The satellite was delivered into the orbit at an altitude of 480 km, after 17 minutes from takeoff. Posted by: john frum 2012-04-27 |
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