RISAT-1B Satellite: India’s answer to Pahalgam’s tragedy

India’s space prowess is made up our minds to flee with the Indian Space Examine Organisation (ISRO) launching RISAT-1B, also most frequently known as EOS-09, on May 18, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This radar imaging satellite tv for computer, the seventh within the RISAT assortment, comes days after a lethal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, making its role in national security important. Launched aboard the Polar Satellite tv for computer Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) XL at 6:59 am IST, the 1,710 kg RISAT-1B will orbit at 529 km in a sun-synchronous course, equipped with C-band artificial aperture radar (SAR) for all-climate surveillance. As India strengthens its borders put up-Pahalgam, this satellite tv for computer guarantees to be a sport-changer. Let’s explore the RISAT assortment’ evolution and how RISAT-1B suits into this legacy.

The RISAT Collection: A Defend within the Sky

The RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite tv for computer) assortment began as a response to India’s security wants, in particular after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Designed for dual civilian and military explain, these satellites explain SAR to capture high-resolution photos, unaffected by climate or time of day. The assortment comprises RISAT-2, RISAT-1, RISAT-1A, RISAT-2B, RISAT-2BR1, and RISAT-2BR2, every advancing India’s potential to video display borders and counter threats. RISAT-1B’s originate marks one other milestone on this trail.

Evolution of the RISAT Collection

Each and each RISAT satellite tv for computer has introduced technological leaps, making improvements to India’s surveillance capabilities. Right here’s a leer at their pattern:

– RISAT-2 (2009): Launched in April 2009, RISAT-2 used to be India’s first dedicated radar imaging satellite tv for computer, developed with Israel’s aid. Weighing 300 kg, it inclined an X-band SAR with a resolution of about 1 meter. Deployed put up-Mumbai attacks, it targeted on border surveillance, helping security forces music infiltration. Its compact fabricate and agility made it an essential asset for early counter-terrorism efforts.

– RISAT-1 (2012): Launched in April 2012, RISAT-1 used to be India’s first indigenously developed SAR satellite tv for computer. Working in C-band, it offered resolutions from 1 to 50 meters, ethical for each and each civilian (agriculture, anxiousness administration) and military gains. At 1,858 kg, it used to be heavier, orbiting at 536 km. Its versatility allowed monitoring of terrorist hideouts and border activities, laying the muse for future RISATs.

– RISAT-1A (2022) : Most often most frequently known as EOS-04, RISAT-1A used to be launched in February 2022. A convention-on to RISAT-1, it inclined C-band SAR with improved imaging capabilities. Weighing 1,852 kg, it orbited at 529 km, making improvements to border surveillance and anxiousness monitoring. Its evolved recordsdata processing supported staunch-time intelligence, important for operations bask in the 2016 surgical strikes.

– RISAT-2B (2019): Launched in May 2019, RISAT-2B marked a shift to the RISAT-2 assortment’ upgrades. The usage of X-band SAR, it finished a finer resolution of about 0.5 meters. Weighing 615 kg, it orbited at 557 km, specializing in militia surveillance. Its enhanced imaging helped title small objects, helping counter-terrorism missions.

– RISAT-2BR1 (2019): Launched in December 2019, RISAT-2BR1 pushed boundaries with a resolution of 0.35 meters, amongst one of the best within the assortment. Its 628 kg body carried an evolved X-band SAR, orbiting at 576 km. This satellite tv for computer performed a key role in tracking inferior-border threats, providing crystal-certain photos for security operations

– RISAT-2BR2 (Proposed/Assumed): While restricted particulars are readily available, RISAT-2BR2 is part of the assortment’ ongoing enhancements. Likely an identical to RISAT-2BR1, it uses X-band SAR with high-resolution imaging, extra strengthening India’s surveillance community.

RISAT-1B: A Timely Addition

RISAT-1B, with its C-band SAR, builds on RISAT-1 and RISAT-1A’s legacy. Its 1,710 kg body and 529 km orbit originate particular total protection of India’s landmass. Key parts embody:

– All-Weather Imaging: Unaffected by clouds or darkness, it ensures fixed monitoring.

– Excessive-Resolution Surveillance: In a position to detecting small objects, important for identifying terrorist actions.

– Twin-Use Functionality: Supports civilian initiatives bask in agriculture and anxiousness administration alongside militia operations.

Publish-Pahalgam, RISAT-1B’s originate aligns with Operation Sindoor, making improvements to India’s potential to video display terrorist activities. Its recordsdata will pork up swift responses, struggling with infiltration and ensuring national safety.

The Avenue Forward: NISAR and Previous

ISRO isn’t stopping here. In June 2025, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite tv for computer will originate aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite tv for computer Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F16). This joint India-US mission will explain dual L-band and S-band SAR for world monitoring, with gains in climate, agriculture, and security. NISAR’s evolved imaging will complement the RISAT assortment, making a sturdy surveillance community.

Why RISAT-1B Issues

The Pahalgam attack underscored the need for vigilant border monitoring. RISAT-1B, with its cutting-edge technology, strengthens India’s skyward defence. The RISAT assortment has evolved from RISAT-2’s standard imaging to RISAT-2BR1’s pinpoint accuracy, and RISAT-1B continues this style. Its potential to give staunch-time, climate-proof intelligence will deter inferior-border threats, building on successes bask in the 2016 surgical strikes. As India prepares for NISAR, the RISAT assortment remains a cornerstone of its security technique, ensuring the nation stays one step ahead of its adversaries.

In a world of evolving threats, RISAT-1B is more than a satellite tv for computer—it’s an emblem of India’s unravel to provide protection to its borders, impressed by tragedies bask in Pahalgam. With ISRO’s relentless innovation, the skies are now no longer upright a frontier but a shield for the nation.

(Girish Linganna is an award-a success science writer and Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst based in Bengaluru. He may be Director of ADD Engineering Substances India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. Contact: [email protected])