EOS-09 (RISAT-1B) Lost in Rare PSLV Failure
Why in the news
A rare PSLV failure cost ISRO the EOS-09 (RISAT-1B) satellite, prompting technical review given the rocket’s strong record and strategic role.
About EOS-09
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Earth Observation Satellite-09, formerly RISAT-1B |
| Sensor | C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar; images in any weather or light |
| Liftoff mass | 1,710 kg |
| Orbit | Polar Sun-synchronous, ~529 km; LTDN ~05:30 AM |
| Series | 7th satellite of the RISAT series |
- Complements Resourcesat, Cartosat and RISAT-2B data.
- Uses: agriculture, forestry, soil moisture, disaster management and defence.
Why PSLV matters
- Serves LEO, SSO and even GTO missions.
- Over 60% of ISRO’s launches in three decades.
- Launched about 400 commercial satellites, mostly foreign.
- Still crucial because SSLV is nascent and GSLV and LVM-3 are not yet fully commercialised.
Exam angle
- RISAT = Radar Imaging Satellite.
- SAR works regardless of weather.