ISRO successfully launches earth observation satellite, EOS-04

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched an Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-04 and two small satellites into the intended orbit. This was the first launch mission of ISRO in the year 2022. The satellites were launched onboard the launch vehicle PSLV-C52 rocket from the First Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

About Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-04):

• EOS-04 is a Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) designed to provide high-quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as agriculture, forestry, and plantations, flood mapping, soil moisture & hydrology.
• The satellite weighs about 1710 kg. It can generate 2280 W power. It has a mission life of 10 years.

About co-passenger satellites:

• The two small satellites included a student satellite (INSPIREsat-1), and a technology demonstrator satellite (INS-2TD).
• INSPIREsat-1 has been developed by the Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST) in association with the Laboratory of Atmospheric & Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
• INS-2TD is a technology demonstrator satellite from ISRO. This is a precursor to the India-Bhutan Joint Satellite (INS-2B).

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chairman and Space Secretary of ISRO: Dr S Somanath;
• ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka;
• ISRO established: 15 August 1969.