Cartosat 2 - Earth Observation Satellite - India's Space Technology Advancements

Decoding the Cartosat Series

Cartosat is a series of Earth observation satellites, conceived, launched, and managed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) .

The Genesis of Cartosat Satellites

The first satellite in the Cartosat series took flight in 2005.

The Journey So Far: Cartosat Satellites Launched by ISRO

To date, ISRO has successfully launched and operated 9 Cartosat satellites, with the latest one launched in 2019.

A Glimpse into the Cartosat Series Satellites Over the Years

ISRO has consistently launched a series of Cartosat satellites to enable comprehensive Earth observation. Below is a list of the Cartosat series of satellites and their launch vehicles:

Satellite	Launch Vehicle	Year
Cartosat – 1	PSLV – C6	2005
Cartosat – 2	PSLV – C7	2007
Cartosat – 2A	PSLV – C9	2008
Cartosat – 2B	PSLV – C15	2010
Cartosat – 2C	PSLV – C34	2016
Cartosat – 2D	PSLV – C37	2017
Cartosat – 2E	PSLV – C38	2017
Cartosat – 2F	PSLV – C40	2018
Cartosat 3	PSLV – C47	2019

For a complete list of Indian Satellites, refer to the List of Indian Satellites .

Exploring the Applications of the Cartosat 2 Satellite

The Cartosat 2 is more than a sophisticated remote sensing satellite. It has a wide array of applications, including:

1. Detailed mapping and cartography
2. Management and development of urban and rural infrastructure
3. Usage in Geographical Information System (GIS)
4. Application in Land Information System (LIS)
5. Monitoring of road networks
6. Water distribution planning

The first image captured by a Cartosat satellite was of the city of Indore, with the Holkar cricket stadium at the center. This image was captured just three days after the satellite's launch.

A Look at the Features of the Cartosat 2 Satellite

1. It's a global mission, meaning the satellite's usage is not limited to India.
2. It is equipped with one panchromatic camera.
3. The satellite is in a polar orbit.
4. It operates at an altitude of approximately 630 Km.
5. It takes about 97 minutes for Cartosat 2 to orbit the Earth.
6. The satellite orbits the Earth about 14 times per day.
7. It operates with a phased array antenna.

Innovative Technologies Used in the Cartosat 2 Satellite

The Cartosat 2 Satellite integrates seven new groundbreaking technologies:

1. A single camera with two mirrors on-axis.
2. An electro-optic structure based on carbon fabric reinforced plastic.
3. Lightweight, large-size mirrors.
4. An advanced solid-state recorder.
5. High torque reaction wheels.
6. High-performance star sensors.
7. Capability to image in any direction along the corridor.

Applications of the Cartosat 2A Satellite

1. The Cartosat 2A is a satellite developed specifically for the Indian Armed Forces.

Applications of the Cartosat 2C Satellite

1. Weather mapping
2. Cartography
3. Strategic applications

The above details would be of help to candidates preparing for UPSC 2021 exams from the perspective of mains examination.

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