India Launches 'Cloud-Proof' Spy Satellite
On 22nd May 2019, India successfully launched the RISAT-2B earth observation satellite into the earth’s orbit. This satellite has been dubbed as a spy satellite which will be used for military as well
On 22nd May 2019, India successfully launched the RISAT-2B satellite into the earth’s orbit. It is an earth observation satellite. The mission will have a life of 5 years. It will be used in fields such as surveillance, agriculture, forestry, and disaster management and support. It was launched from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This satellite is to help enhance the country’s surveillance abilities in the military and civilian sectors. The satellite will also help to keep an eye on terror camps in Pakistan.
The name of the satellite is the RISAT-2B. It is called the spy satellite. Earlier the RISAT-2 was launched in 2009 to monitor activities in terror camps in Pakistan. The RISAT-2B is the updated version. It can take pictures of the earth during day and night and also under cloudy conditions.
In response to the Pulwama attack in J&K, on 26th February 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted an airstrike at a terror camp in Balakot deep inside Pakistan territory. Many believed that the heavy cloud cover at that time, could have blinded Indian satellites. Which is why no images or videos of the operation were released so far. The RISAT-2B satellite will be completely cloud proof. This will ensure that the military receive continuous updates in the form of pictures and videos.
