Context

The country will send up an unusually large number of 10 earth observation (EO) satellites during 2020-21, according to the latest annual report of the Indian Space Research Organisation for 2019-20.

About

• It includes new categories such as the first Geo Imaging Satellite, GISAT-1.
• In comparison, only three communication satellites — which is another major category in space infrastructure — and two navigation satellites are planned for the coming financial year starting April.
• The annual plan mentions 36 missions, another high for a year: these include both satellites and their launchers.
• The high number also stands out amidst the immediate two years before and after the plan.
• ISRO says 19 national EO satellites, 18 communication satellites and eight navigation satellites are in service, driving uses from broadcasting, telephony, Internet services, weather and agriculture-related forecasting, security, disaster-time rescue and relief and location-based services.
• Three of the communication satellites are dedicated to military communication and networking.
• The EO sats are ostensibly for benign uses such as land and agriculture watch.
• But their images also have a very important use for the military, for keeping an eye on the borders.
• The satellites such as RISATs, which carry synthetic aperture radar on them, provide all-weather, 24-hour information to security agencies.
• The upcoming EO satellites include radar imaging satellites RISAT-2BR2, RISAT- 1A and 2A; Oceansat-3 and Resourcesat-3/3S.

10 earth observation (EO) satellites

• GISAT-1: It is a Geo Imaging Satellite in Geostationary orbit with a high temporal resolution. is primarily meant for near real-time imaging of natural resources and disaster management.
• RISAT-2BR2: It is a high agility X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar-based satellite. It will provide all-weather, day/night imaging services from space.
• OCEANSAT-3: It will provide continuity of ocean colour data with improvements to continue and enhance operational services like potential fishery zone and primary productivity.
• RISAT-1A and 2A: They will provide continuity of service for RISAT-1 and RISAT-2 respectively.
• HRSAT: It will have a constellation of three satellites. Applications include large scale and cadastral level mapping, urban and rural planning, infrastructure development & monitoring, précising agriculture, disaster management, etc.
• RESOURCESAT-3/3A: The mission is envisaged to provide continuity of data service on an operational basis in the area of Land and Water resources management.
• RESOURCESAT-3S/3SA: These are planned to provide data services for earth resource monitoring with improved resolution and a wide swath.
• INSAT-3DS: It is designed for enhanced meteorological observations, monitoring of land and ocean surfaces, generating a vertical profile of the atmosphere for weather forecasting and disaster warning.
• Microsat-2A: It will meet demands for cartographic applications at cadastral level, urban and rural management, coastal land use and regulation, utility mapping, development and various other GIS applications.
• NISAR: It is being jointly developed by NASA & ISRO. The primary mission goals are: Global coverage of the earth’s biomass, cryosphere, for surface dynamics and coastal studies over a period of 3-5 years, Systematic coverage of global environment with 12 days repeat the cycle.