India's remote sensing program was developed with the idea of applying space technologies for the benefit of humankind and the development of the country. The program involved the development of three principal capabilities. The first was to design, build and launch satellites to a Sun-synchronous orbit. The second was to establish and operate ground stations for spacecraft control, data transfer along with data processing and archival. The third was to use the data obtained for various applications on the ground. [1]
India demonstrated the ability of remote sensing for societal application by detecting coconut root-wilt disease from a helicopter mounted multispectral camera in 1970. This was followed by flying two experimental satellites, Bhaskara-1 in 1979 and Bhaskara-2 in 1981. These satellites carried optical and microwave payloads. [2]
India's remote sensing programme under the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) started off in 1988 with the IRS-1A, the first of the series of indigenous state-of-art operating remote sensing satellites, which was successfully launched into a polar Sun-synchronous orbit on March 17, 1988, from the Soviet Cosmodrome at Baikonur.
It has sensors like LISS-I which had a spatial resolution of 72.5 metres (238 ft) with a swath of 148 kilometres (92 mi) on ground. LISS-II had two separate imaging sensors, LISS-II A and LISS-II B, with spatial resolution of 36.25 metres (118.9 ft) each and mounted on the spacecraft in such a way to provide a composite swath of 146.98 kilometres (91.33 mi) on ground. These tools quickly enabled India to map, monitor and manage its natural resources at various spatial resolutions. The operational availability of data products to the user organisations further strengthened the relevance of remote sensing applications and management in the country. [3]
Following the successful demonstration flights of Bhaskara-1 and Bhaskara-2 satellites launched in 1979 and 1981, respectively, India began to develop the indigenous Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite program to support the national economy in the areas of agriculture, water resources, forestry and ecology, geology, water sheds, marine fisheries and coastal management.
Towards this end, India had established the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) for which the Department of Space (DOS) is the nodal agency, providing operational remote sensing data services. [4] Data from the IRS satellites is received and disseminated by several countries all over the world. With the advent of high-resolution satellites, new applications in the areas of urban sprawl, infrastructure planning and other large scale applications for mapping have been initiated.
The IRS system is the largest constellation of remote sensing satellites for civilian use in operation today in the world, with 11 operational satellites. All these are placed in polar Sun-synchronous orbit and provide data in a variety of spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions. Indian Remote Sensing Programme completed its 25 years of successful operations on March 17, 2013. [3]
Data from Indian Remote Sensing satellites are used for various applications of resources survey and management under the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS). Following is the list of those applications:
The initial versions are composed of the 1 (A,B,C,D). The later versions are named based on their area of application, including OceanSat, CartoSat, ResourceSat. Some of the satellites have alternate designations based on the launch number and vehicle (P series for PSLV). From 2020, the name was changed to the generic EOS, which stands for Earth Observation Satellite. [5]
Serial No. | Satellite | Date of Launch | Launch Vehicle | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | IRS-1A | 17 March 1988 | Vostok, USSR | Mission Completed |
2 | IRS-1B | 29 August 1991 | Vostok, USSR | Mission Completed |
3 | IRS-P1 (also IE) | 20 September 1993 | PSLV-D1 | Crashed, due to launch failure of PSLV |
4 | IRS-P2 | 15 October 1994 | PSLV-D2 | Mission Completed |
5 | IRS-1C | 28 December 1995 | Molniya, Russia | Mission Completed |
6 | IRS-P3 | 21 March 1996 | PSLV-D3 | Mission Completed |
7 | IRS 1D | 29 September 1997 | PSLV-C1 | Mission Completed |
8 | IRS-P4 (Oceansat-1) | 27 May 1999 | PSLV-C2 | Mission Completed |
9 | Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) | 22 October 2001 | PSLV-C3 | Mission Completed |
10 | IRS P6 (Resourcesat-1) | 17 October 2003 | PSLV-C5 | Mission Completed |
11 | IRS P5 (Cartosat 1) | 5 May 2005 | PSLV-C6 | Mission Completed |
12 | IRS P7 (Cartosat 2) | 10 January 2007 | PSLV-C7 | Mission Completed |
13 | Cartosat 2A | 28 April 2008 | PSLV-C9 | In Service |
14 | IMS 1 | 28 April 2008 | PSLV-C9 | Mission Completed |
15 | RISAT-2 | 20 April 2009 | PSLV-C12 | In Service |
16 | Oceansat-2 | 23 September 2009 | PSLV-C14 | In Service |
17 | Cartosat-2B | 12 July 2010 | PSLV-C15 | In Service |
18 | Resourcesat-2 | 20 April 2011 | PSLV-C16 | In Service |
19 | Megha-Tropiques | 12 October 2011 | PSLV-C18 | Mission Completed |
20 | RISAT-1 | 26 April 2012 | PSLV-C19 | Mission Completed |
21 | SARAL | 25 February 2013 | PSLV-C20 | In Service |
22 | Cartosat-2C | 22 June 2016 | PSLV-C34 | In Service |
23 | ScatSat-1 | 26 September 2016 | PSLV-C35 | In Service |
24 | Resourcesat-2A | 7 December 2016 | PSLV-C36 | In Service |
25 | Cartosat-2D | 15 February 2017 | PSLV-C37 | In Service |
26 | Cartosat-2E | 23 June 2017 | PSLV-C38 | In Service |
27 | Cartosat-2F | 12 January 2018 | PSLV-C40 | In Service |
28 | RISAT-2B | 22 May 2019 | PSLV-C46 | In Service |
29 | Cartosat-3 | 27 November 2019 | PSLV-C47 | In Service |
30 | RISAT-2BR1 | 11 December 2019 | PSLV-C48 | In Service |
31 | EOS-1 (RISAT-2BR2) | 7 November 2020 | PSLV-C49 | In Service |
32 | EOS-3 (GISAT-1) | 12 August 2021 | GSLV-F10 | Crashed, due to launch failure of GSLV |
33 | EOS-4 (RISAT-1A) | 14 February 2022 | PSLV-C52 | In Service |
34 | EOS–02 (Microsat-2A) | 7 August 2022 | SSLV-D1 | Crashed, due to launch failure of SSLV |
35 | EOS-6 (Oceansat-3) | 26 November 2022 | PSLV-C54 | In Service |
36 | EOS–07 (Microsat-2B) | 10 February 2023 | SSLV-D2 | In Service |
37 | EOS–05 (GISAT-2) | March 2024 | GSLV Mk II | Planned |
38 | RISAT-1B | 2024 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
39 | RISAT-2A | 2024 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
40 | Cartosat-3A (EOS-08) | 2024 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
41 | Cartosat-3B | 2024 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
42 | Oceansat-3A | 2025 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
43 | Resourcesat-3 | 2025 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
44 | Resourcesat-3A | 2026 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
45 | Resourcesat-3B | 2026 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
46 | Resourcesat-3S | 2026 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
47 | Resourcesat-3SA | 2027 (TBD) | PSLV-XL | Planned |
Data from IRS is available to its users through NRSC Data Centre and also through Bhuvan Geoportal of ISRO. NRSC data center provides data through its purchase process, while Bhuvan Geoportal provides data in free and open domain.
The capacity building programme of ISRO for IRS and other remote sensing applications is through Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) Dehradun and UN affiliated Center of Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) Center located at Dehradun of Uttrakhand State in India.
Cartosat-1 is a stereoscopic Earth observation satellite in a Sun-synchronous orbit, and the first one of the Cartosat series of satellites. The eleventh satellite of ISRO in Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) series. The satellite was launched by Indian Space Research Organisation and is operated by NTRO. Weighing around 1560 kg at launch, its applications will mainly be towards cartography in India.
Resourcesat-1 is an advanced remote sensing satellite built by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The tenth satellite of ISRO in IRS series, Resourcesat-1 is intended to not only continue the remote sensing data services provided by IRS-1C and IRS-1D, both of which have far outlived their designed mission lives, but also vastly enhance the data quality.
Cartosat-2 was an Earth observation satellite in a Sun-synchronous orbit and the second of the Cartosat series of satellites. The satellite was built, launched and maintained by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Weighing around 680 kg at launch, its applications were mainly be towards cartography. It was launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV C7 launch vehicle on 10 January 2007.
Cartosat-3 is an advanced Indian Earth observation satellite built and developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which replaces the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) series. It has a panchromatic resolution of 0.25 metres making it one of the imaging satellite with highest resolution in the world at the time of launch and MX of 1 metre with a high quality resolution which is a major improvement from the previous payloads in the Cartosat series.
The Integrated Space Cell was the nodal agency within the Government of India with oversight of the security of its space based military and civilian hardware systems. It was to be jointly operated by all the three services of the Indian Armed Forces, the civilian Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This agency was superseded by Defence Space Agency in 2019.
Bhuvan is an Indian web-based utility which allows users to explore a set of geographic content prepared by the Indian Space Research Organisation. The content which the utility serves is mostly restricted to within Indian boundaries and is offered in four regional languages. The content includes thematic maps related to disasters, agriculture, water resources, land cover, and processed satellite data generated by ISRO.
Oceansat-2 is the second Indian satellite built primarily for ocean applications. It was a part of the Indian Remote Sensing Programme satellite series. Oceansat-2 is an Indian satellite designed to provide service continuity for operational users of the Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) instrument on Oceansat-1. It will also enhance the potential of applications in other areas. The OceanSat-2 mission was approved by the government of India on 16 July 2005.
Resourcesat-2 is a follow on mission to Resourcesat-1 and the eighteenth Indian remote sensing satellite built by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The new satellite provides the same services as the original Resourcesat-1, but was also designed to "provide data with enhanced multispectral and spatial coverage". Compared to Resourcesat-1, LISS-4 multispectral swath has been enhanced from 23 km to 70 km based on user needs. Suitable changes including miniaturization in payload electronics have been incorporated in Resourcesat-2.
IRS-1D is the seventh satellite in Indian Remote Sensing satellite series of Earth Observation satellites, built, launched and maintained by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The satellite has similar capabilities as that of ISRO's IRS-1C satellite with some improvements added for better imagery particularly in thematic mapping.
IRS-P2 was an Earth observation satellite launched under the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) programme undertaken by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The objectives of the mission were to provide spaceborne capability to India in observing and managing natural resources and utilizing them in a productive manner. The satellite carried imaging multi-spectral radiometers on board for radio sensing of the resources.
IRS-1C was the fifth remote sensing Indian satellite built, and designed by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). IRS-1C is first second-generation operational Remote Sensing Satellite. The satellite carries payloads with enhanced capabilities like better spatial resolution additional spectral bands, improved repeatability and augment the remote sensing capability of the existing IRS-1A and IRS-1B.
The Cartosat is a series of Indian optical Earth observation satellites built and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The Cartosat series is a part of the Indian Remote Sensing Program. They are used for Earth's resource management, defence services and monitoring.
IRS-1E was an Earth observation mission launched under the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) programme by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Sometimes written IRS-P1. The objective of the mission was to develop Earth imagery using instruments carried on board. Due to a malfunction of the launch vehicle, the satellite deviated from its path and plunged into the Indian Ocean.
IRS-1A, Indian Remote Sensing satellite-1A, the first of the series of indigenous state-of-art remote sensing satellites, was successfully launched into a polar Sun-synchronous orbit on 17 March 1988 from the Soviet Cosmodrome at Baikonur. IRS-1A carries two sensors, LISS-1 and LISS-2, with resolutions of 72 m (236 ft) and 36 m (118 ft) respectively with a swath width of about 140 km (87 mi) during each pass over the country. Undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was a part-operational, part-experimental mission to develop Indian expertise in satellite imagery.
IRS-1B, Indian Remote Sensing satellite-1B, the second of the series of indigenous state-of-art remote sensing satellites, was successfully launched into a polar Sun-synchronous orbit on 29 August 1991 from the Soviet Cosmodrome at Baikonur. IRS-1B carries two sensors, LISS-1 and LISS-2, with resolutions of 72 m (236 ft) and 36 m (118 ft) respectively with a swath width of about 140 km (87 mi) during each pass over the country. It was a part-operational, part-experimental mission to develop Indian expertise in satellite imagery. It was a successor to the remote sensing mission IRS-1A, both undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Oceansat-1 or IRS-P4 was the first Indian satellite built primarily for ocean applications. It was a part of the Indian Remote Sensing Programme satellite series. The satellite carried an Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and a Multi-frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR) for oceanographic studies. Oceansat-1 thus vastly augment the IRS satellite system of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) comprising four satellites, IRS-1B, IRS-1C, IRS-P3 and IRS-1D and extend remote sensing applications to several newer areas.
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National Natural Resources Management System is an integrated natural resource management system of India which aggregates the data about natural resources from the remote sensing satellites and other conventional techniques. One of the important elements of this management system is the National Resource Information Systems which acts as feeder information system to the larger information system of the Government, which includes socioeconomic information and models. NNRMS activities are co-ordinated at the National level by the Planning Committee of NNRMS (PC-NNRMS) which frames guidelines for implementation of the systems and oversees the progress of remote sensing applications for natural resources management in the country.
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