RISAT 1

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RISAT 1 is classified as:

NORAD ID: 38248

Int'l Code: 2012-017A

Perigee: 542.8 km

Apogee: 548.4 km

Inclination: 97.6 °

Period: 95.4 minutes

Semi major axis: 6916 km

RCS: 3.0624 m² (large)

Launch date: April 26, 2012
Source: India (IND)
Launch site: SRIHARIKOTA (SRI)

RISAT 1 is a radar surveillance satellite designed to obtain all-weather, day-and-night ground imagery for national security and environmental applications. The satellite, marks a significant leap for India. It is the country's first indigenous radar observation satellite after a successful series of optical and infrared imaging missions. The Indian Space Research Organization, or ISRO, developed the satellite to help emergency officials respond to disasters like floods and cyclones. RISAT 1 will also monitor crops during India's monsoon season, according to ISRO. Indian defense officials could also use RISAT 1 to eavesdrop on the country's fractious border regions and neighboring countries. The RISAT 1 spacecraft's C-band radar will see through clouds and take pictures of the ground at night, offering a significant leap in technology and reconnaissance data over existing optical imagers. Because they do not require sunlight to illuminate the ground, radar pulses emitted from orbiting satellites can resolve objects on Earth's surface in darkness and in all weather conditions.