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| India-Pakistan |
| No live coverage of Isro's spy sat launch |
| 2009-04-19 |
| MUMBAI: Isro is downplaying the launch of 'spy satellite' Risat-2 on Monday despite the model election code of conduct not coming in its way. On Saturday, Isro officials told TOI the space agency has decided to do away with the traditional live telecast of the launch accompanied by a commentary by Doordarshan and other TV channels. The 48-hour countdown began at 6.45am on Saturday and the launch is slated for 6.45am on Monday at Sriharikota. Though TV crew members will be present at Sriharikota, they will, however, not be provided any facilities for covering the take off. "The TV is welcome to telecast the launch later in the day." On Saturday Isro released an eight-line detail about 'Risat-2' in its website. It says the satellite weighing 300 kg will be placed at an altitude of 550 km. "Risat-2 is a radar imaging satellite with all weather capability to take images of the earth. This satellite will enhance Isro's capability for disaster management," it says. No mention has been made about its other capabilities like the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) acquired from Israel which according to space experts has armed the satellite with defence capabilities. Similarly, the website has given a nine-line description of Anusat, the first satellite built by an Indian university which will piggy back on Risat-2. It says that Anusat will operate in the same orbit as Risat-2. |
| Posted by:john frum |
