Military
NORAD ID: 38248
Int'l Code: 2012-017A
Perigee: 544.8 km
Apogee: 548.2 km
Inclination: 97.6 °
Period: 95.4 minutes
Semi major axis: 6917 km
Launch date: April 26, 2012
Source: India (IND)
Comments: 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.
Two Line Element Set (TLE):
1 38248U 12017A 13144.55982000 .00002239 00000-0 14578-3 0 2210
2 38248 097.5941 151.6382 0002411 097.4141 059.9055 15.08969872 59352
Source: AFSPC
NASA's NSSDC Master Catalog entry for RISAT 1
