Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) to launch on April 20

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) with the radar imaging satellite (RISAT) will be launched on 20th April from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, as reported. It will also put into orbit Anusat, a micro educational satellite built by Anna University.

The 230 tonne rocket will carry a weight of around 350 kg - the 300 kg RISAT and 50 kg Anusat.

According to officials, the rocket will sling RISAT at a distance of 560 km in a circular orbit and the 50 kg Anusat into low earth orbit.

While ISRO officials termed RISAT an all weather satellite to be used for remote sensing purposes, the presence of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) gives it defence capabilities.

None of ISRO's other remote sensing satellites are equipped with the SAR.