India is one of the few countries that has launched several remote sensing satellites to study various aspects of the earth. These satellites are used to monitor the weather, natural disasters, agriculture, forestry, and other land-based activities. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the List of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites launched till date.
Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) are used for a wide range of applications, including natural resource management, environmental monitoring, disaster management, weather forecasting, and national security.
In times of natural disasters, IRS images are used to assess the damage and support rescue operations. Moreover, these satellites have significant applications in the field of weather forecasting by providing real-time meteorological data.
The high-resolution images captured by IRS also play a critical role in national security by providing intelligence and surveillance capabilities.
Overall, Indian Remote Sensing Satellites have proven to be indispensable tools in various fields and have significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of the country.
What are Remote Sensing Satellites?
Remote sensing satellites are spacecraft equipped with sensors that can capture images and data of the earth from space. These sensors can detect various types of radiation emitted or reflected from the earth’s surface.
Remote sensing satellites are used for a wide range of applications such as monitoring the weather, natural disasters, agriculture, forestry, and other land-based activities.
Overview of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites
India has been launching remote sensing satellites since 1988, with the launch of IRS-1A. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has launched several remote sensing satellites since then, each with a unique set of capabilities.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important Indian remote sensing satellites launched till date:
IRS-1A and IRS-1B
IRS-1A and IRS-1B were launched in 1988 and 1991, respectively. These satellites were primarily used for remote sensing applications such as cartography, land use mapping, and forestry. They had a spatial resolution of 36 meters and a swath width of 148 kilometers.
IRS-1C and IRS-1D
IRS-1C and IRS-1D were launched in 1995 and 1997, respectively. These satellites had improved capabilities compared to their predecessors, with a spatial resolution of 5.8 meters and a swath width of 140 kilometers. They were used for a wide range of applications such as mineral exploration, coastal monitoring, and disaster management.
Resourcesat-1 and Resourcesat-2
Resourcesat-1 was launched in 2003, while Resourcesat-2 was launched in 2011. These satellites were primarily used for resource mapping and management applications such as soil moisture mapping, crop inventory, and forestry. They had a spatial resolution of 5.8 meters and a swath width of 23 kilometers.
Cartosat-1, Cartosat-2, and Cartosat-3
Cartosat-1, Cartosat-2, and Cartosat-3 were launched in 2005, 2007, and 2019, respectively. These satellites were used for cartography and high-resolution imaging applications. Cartosat-1 had a spatial resolution of 2.5 meters, while Cartosat-2 and Cartosat-3 had a spatial resolution of 1 meter. Cartosat-3 also had an additional capability of capturing hyperspectral images.
RISAT-1 and RISAT-2
RISAT-1 and RISAT-2 were launched in 2009 and 2012, respectively. These satellites had synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors that allowed them to capture images of the earth even in cloudy or dark conditions. RISAT-1 had a spatial resolution of 3.6 meters, while RISAT-2 had a spatial resolution of 1 meter.
Oceansat-1 and Oceansat-2
Oceansat-1 was launched in 1999, while Oceansat-2 was launched in 2009. These satellites were used for oceanographic applications such as sea surface temperature mapping, ocean color mapping, and ocean wind vector mapping.
Resourcesat-3
Resourcesat-3 was launched in 2021 and is the latest addition to India’s remote sensing satellite fleet. This satellite is equipped with advanced sensors that can capture images with a spatial resolution of 5.8 meters and a swath width of 120 kilometers. Resourcesat-3 is primarily used for resource mapping and management applications such as crop monitoring, forestry, and water resources management.
List of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites
Here is a list of Indian remote sensing satellite series and their characteristics:
Launch Year | Satellite Name | Orbit Type | Importance |
1975 | Aryabhata | Low Earth Orbit | First Indian satellite |
1983 | Rohini | Low Earth Orbit | First Indian satellite to be placed in orbit by an Indian-made launch vehicle |
1988 | IRS-1A | Sun-synchronous Orbit | First satellite of the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) series |
1991 | IRS-1B | Sun-synchronous Orbit | Second satellite of the IRS series |
1992 | SROSS-C | Low Earth Orbit | Conducted experiments related to X-ray astronomy and solar physics |
1993 | IRS-1C | Sun-synchronous Orbit | Third satellite of the IRS series |
1994 | IRS-P2 | Polar Orbit | Conducted ocean and forest mapping |
1995 | IRS-1D | Sun-synchronous Orbit | Fourth satellite of the IRS series |
1997 | IRS-P3 | Polar Orbit | Conducted mapping of natural resources |
1999 | IRS-1C/1D | Sun-synchronous Orbit | Dual-satellite mission for better coverage and data continuity |
2000 | Oceansat-1 | Polar Orbit | Conducted oceanographic studies |
2001 | Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) | Low Earth Orbit | Conducted atmospheric studies |
2002 | Resourcesat-1 | Polar Orbit | Conducted land and water resource mapping |
2003 | Edusat | Geostationary Orbit | Educational satellite for distance learning |
2005 | Cartosat-1 | Polar Orbit | High-resolution mapping and cartography |
2007 | Cartosat-2 | Polar Orbit | High-resolution mapping and cartography |
2008 | IMS-1 | Polar Orbit | Conducted mapping for disaster management |
2009 | Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-2) | Polar Orbit | Synthetic aperture radar imaging for all-weather surveillance |
2011 | Megha-Tropiques | Low Earth Orbit | Conducted atmospheric studies related to monsoons |
2013 | SARAL | Low Earth Orbit | Conducted oceanographic studies with collaboration from France |
2015 | ASTROSAT | Low Earth Orbit | Multi-wavelength astronomy observatory |
2015 | Cartosat-2C | Polar Orbit | High-resolution mapping and cartography |
2016 | Resourcesat-2A | Polar Orbit | Conducted land and water resource mapping |
2017 | Cartosat-2E | Polar Orbit | High-resolution mapping and cartography |
2018 | IRNSS-1I | Geostationary Orbit | Navigation satellite for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) |
2019 | EMISAT | Polar Orbit | Conducted electromagnetic spectrum measurement and satellite-to-satellite tracking |
2019 | Cartosat-3 | Polar Orbit | High-resolution mapping and cartography |
2019 | RISAT-2B | Polar Orbit | Synthetic aperture radar imaging for all-weather surveillance |
2020 | EOS-01 | Polar Orbit | Conducted agriculture, forestry, and disaster management studies |
2020 | GISAT-1 | Geostationary Orbit | Earth observation satellite for monitoring natural disasters and environmental changes |
Note: The above table includes only some of the most important Indian remote sensing satellites, and is not an exhaustive list.
Benefits of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites
Indian remote sensing satellites have several benefits for the country and the world. Some of the key benefits are:
Disaster Management
Remote sensing satellites are used to monitor natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and cyclones. The data from these satellites can be used to plan and execute relief operations.
Agriculture
Remote sensing satellites are used to monitor crop health, soil moisture, and other agricultural parameters. This data can be used to improve crop yield and plan irrigation.
READ MORE: Application of Remote Sensing In Agriculture
Forestry
Remote sensing satellites are used to monitor deforestation, forest fires, and other forestry-related activities. This data can be used to plan conservation efforts and prevent illegal logging.
Infrastructure Planning
Remote sensing satellites can be used to plan and monitor infrastructure projects such as roads, dams, and bridges. This data can be used to optimize project planning and prevent delays.
Conclusion
India’s remote sensing satellite fleet has come a long way since the launch of IRS-1A in 1988. With advanced sensors and capabilities, these satellites are used for a wide range of applications such as disaster management, agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure planning. India’s remote sensing satellites have several benefits for the country and the world, and they are a testament to India’s progress in the field of space technology.
FAQs: List of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites
What is the spatial resolution of Indian remote sensing satellites?
The spatial resolution of Indian remote sensing satellites ranges from 1 meter to 36 meters, depending on the satellite.
What is a radar altimeter?
A radar altimeter is a type of sensor that uses radar waves to measure the height of the sea surface with high accuracy.
What is synthetic aperture radar (SAR)?
Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a type of radar sensor that uses signal processing techniques to create high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface.
How many remote sensing satellites has India launched?
India has launched over a dozen remote sensing satellites since 1975.