Cartosat-2A

Infobox Spacecraft
Name = Cartosat-2A
Organisation = ISRO
Mission_Type = Earth observation
Satellite_Of = Earth
Launch = 28 April 2008, 03:53 GMT
Carrier_Rocket = PSLV-C9
NSSDC_ID = 2008-021A
Mass = 690 kg
Power = 900 watts
Orbit_regime = LEO [http://www.isro.org/pslv-c9/cartosat2a.htm CARTOSAT - 2A ] ]
Orbital_Period = 97.4 minutes
Apoapsis = km to mi|630|spell=commonwealth|wiki=yes
Periapsis = km to mi|630|spell=commonwealth|wiki=yes
Inclination =
Launch_Site = SLP, Satish Dhawan Space Centre
Mission_Duration = 5 years
Repeat_Interval = 4 days
Orbits_Daily = 14
Repetivity =310 days
Batteries = Two 18 Ah Ni-Cd batteries
Main_Instruments = One panchromatic camera
Resolution = Less than 1 metre
Swath = About 9.6 kilometre
Spectral_Band = 0.5 - 0.85 micrometre
Data_Rate = 105 Mbit/s after compression
SSR = 64 GB

CARTOSAT 2A is an Earth observation satellite in a sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite which is the thirteenth satellite in the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite series has been built, launched and maintained by the Indian Space Research Organisation. It was launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle - C9 on April 28, 2008 along with the 87 kg Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) and eight nano research satellites belonging to research facilities in Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7370391.stm India in multi-satellite launch] ] . This satellite is a Ministry of Defence mission of the Government of India. [ [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/23/stories/2008012350332800.htm The Hindu Business Line: ISRO arm may get more satellite launch contracts, by K. Pichumani] ] The designation of the satellite could be presumed to be its similarity with its civilian name sake launched on January 10, 2007.It will be a dedicated satellite for the Indian Armed Forces which is in the process of establishing an Aerospace Command. [ [http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070015064 NDTV.com: India to launch first military satellite in August ] ]

The satellite carries a panchromatic camera (PAN) capable of taking black-and-white pictures in the visible region of electromagnetic spectrum. The highly agile CARTOSAT-2A can be steered up to 45 deg along as well as across the direction of its movement to facilitate imaging of any area more frequently. The satellite's health is continuously monitored from the Spacecraft Control Centre at Bangalore with the help of ISTRAC network of stations at Bangalore, Lucknow, Mauritius, Bearslake in Russia, Biak in Indonesia and Svalbard in Norway. [ [http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/April28_2008.htm PSLV Successfully Launches Ten Satellites ] ]

ee also

*CARTOSAT-1
*CARTOSAT-2

References

External links

* [http://www.isro.org/pslv-c9/cartosat2a.htm ISRO Cartosat 2a Site]
* [http://www.isro.org/pslv-c9/photo/11.jpgImagery from Cartosat 2A]
* [http://www.isro.org/pslv-c7/photos/cartosat-2images.htm Imagery from Cartosat 2]
* [http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=132051]