Chennai:  ISRO will launch space missions on February 14^th, by launching Radar Imaging Satellite RISAT-1A or EOS-4. RISAT-1A rocket will blast off from the first launch pad from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

According to the ISRO, the PSLV-C52 (PSLV-C51) carrying 1,710 kg EOS-04 is scheduled to lift off at 5.59 a.m. on February 14^th. RISAT-1A will also carry two small satellites as co-passengers, a student satellite (INSPIREsat-1) from IIST in association with Laboratory of Atmospheric & Space Physics at University of Colorado, Boulder and a technology demonstrator satellite (INS-2TD) from ISRO, which is a precursor to India-Bhutan Joint Satellite (INS-2B).

The EOS-04 will be put into a sun synchronous polar orbit of 529 km. EOS-04 is a Radar Imaging Satellite designed to provide high quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as agriculture, forestry and plantations, soil moisture and hydrology and flood mapping. A repeat microwave remote sensing satellite of RISAT-1A, it is configured to ensure continuity of SAR in C-Band providing microwave data to the user community for operational services.

The satellite will play a strategic role in the nation’s defence with its capability to operate in day, night, and all weather conditions with a mission life of five years. RISAT-1A has high data handling systems and high storage devices among other things. RISAT-1A launch would commence at 4.29 a.m. on February 13, at the 25 hours and 30 minutes countdown, after authorization by the Launch Authorization Board.

The RISAT-1A flight will be followed by the launch of three satellites – OCEANSAT-3, INS-2B and ANAND- by PSLV-C53 in March and Micro SAT by the newly developed SSLV in April. The launch of four ton communication satellite GSAT-24 is also scheduled during the first quarter of this year using Ariane 5 rocket owned by Arianespace.