ISRO's PSLV-C46 mission successfully launches Indian radar imaging satellite RISAT-2B into 'perfect' orbit

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the PSLV’s 48th mission – the launch of the RISAT-2B earth observation satellite – on 22 May 2019. The  PSLV-Core Alone rocket — the lightest among  ISRO’s launch vehicles — carried RISAT-2B in the shortest span of time that any Indian satellite has in the past – a record for ISRO.

After a perfect launch and stellar performances by all four stages of the rocket, the payload was released into its intended circular orbit at a 557 kilometer-altitude, at an inclination of 37-degrees. RISAT-2B was released into orbit at around 15 minutes 30 seconds into the launch.

BIG CONGRATULATIONS #ISRO!!
🇮🇳 #ISROMissions 🇮🇳#PSLVC46 successfully injects #RISAT2B into Low Earth Orbit.#ISRO pic.twitter.com/XKzxkuxCAZ

— Doordarshan National दूरदर्शन नेशनल (@DDNational) May 22, 2019

Congratulations to @isro for the successful launch of the #PSLVC46 rocket carrying the RISAT-2B Satellite. It was such a beautiful sight 😍🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Wjj7cn6JWU

— Arvind (@arvindramanatan) May 22, 2019

RISAT-2B is a powerful new radar earth observation satellite that is due to take over from RISAT-1. Both are part of a series of satellites that can observe weather conditions on Earth using radar imagery irrespective of day- or nighttime, or weather conditions on the ground. RISAT-2 – the first satellite in the series before RISAT-2B – was the first satellite in the series to have also had surveillance capabilities. RISAT-1 was launched later, to become India’s first all-weather radar imaging satellite.

The PSLV-C46 mission is ISRO’s 48 PSLV launch, and the 14th PSLV Core-Alone (CA) mission .

Also read: ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 to launch in July, make India’s first Moon landing in September

The upcoming mission is the most challenging one ISRO has ever undertaken, Chairman of ISRO Dr K Sivan told members of ISRO and press in the post-launch briefing, speaking of the Chandrayaan-2 mission , scheduled for launch in July this year.

Also read:  Chandrayaan-2 to carry a total of 13 payloads including one from NASA, confirms ISRO

“But I’m certain that ISRO will be ready to take on the big challenge and see the mission till its success,” he added.

For the second successive launch attempt, ISRO made provisions for the general public to view the launch from a newly-built viewing gallery at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

ISRO to launch #PSLVC46 🚀 carrying RISAT-2B, a Radar imaging earth observation satellite,tomorrow from SHAR,Sriharikota at 0527 hrs IST. In this 48th mission of PSLV, RISAT-2B will be placed into an orbit of 555 km at an inclination of 37 degree. pic.twitter.com/sQXrs9xAvW

— Mohd Lateef Babla (@lateefbabla) May 22, 2019