Resourcesat-2A on 7th Dec 2016 was launched by ISRO. This is its own earth observation satellite. The observation satellite Resourcesat-2A was launched with PSLV C36 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sri Harikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The PSLV-XL variant rocket standing 44.4m tall and weighing 321 tonne was launched.
Resourcesat-2A is a remote sensing satellite intended for resource monitoring. It weighs 1235 kgs and was injected into the 817 km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit. It is a follow up on Resourcesat-1 and Resourcesat-2, launched in 2003 and 2011. This satellite carries three payloads which are similar to those of the Resourcesat.
The satellite aims to continue remote sensing data services to international users provided by its predecessors. The mission will provide inputs in avionic science.
It carries two solid state recorders with a capacity of 200GB each to store the image taken by its cameras. These images can be read out to ground stations.
PSLV-C36 is the 38th flight of the ISRO PSLV. The flight used the XL version of PSLV with six solid strap-on motors.
GSLV MK 3 D1; the heaviest form of the satellite will be launched by 20 January 2017.
12 more satellites will be launched in 2017 and work has been stepped up to launch Chandrayaan 2.
Know More About PSLV- PSLV stands for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. It is a 4 stage engine rocket powered by solid and liquid fuel alternatively.
PSLV is an ISRO versatile launch vehicle used for launch of numerous satellites in:
- Polar SSOs
- GTO/Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
- LEO/Low Earth Orbits
- Sub GTO
- Since 1994, PSLV has launched 121 satellites. 79 out of these were foreign satellites while 42 were Indian.
