India to launch 30 earth observation satellites in next decade
28 Dec 2010
Bangalore: India may launch at least 30 earth observation satellites over the next one decade, according to a government official at the Department of Space (DoS). Perspective plans drawn up for the next ten years foresee launch of a series of Resourcesat, Cartosat, ocean and atmospheric satellites.
"We expect not less than 30 satellites," director of the Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Dr V Jayaraman said. The NRSC operates under the DoS.
NRSC is responsible for remote sensing, satellite data acquisition and processing, data dissemination, aerial remote sensing and decision support for disaster management.
The satellites to be launched would include Cartosat-3 with 30 cm resolution, he said.
"We will launch Resourcesat-2 in early February or ending January. It will be a replacement satellite for Resourcesat-1 which gave us 5.8 metres, 70 km multi-spectral data for the first time," Dr Jayaraman said.
He also revealed that ISRO was setting up an integrated multi-mission ground segment in Hyderabad at an investment of Rs35-40 crore. The centre is expected to become operational in June next.
Dr Jayaraman said through this ground station (segment), ISRO would be able to receive all the satellite data "…making the (space) products in such a way that every day we will supply 1000 products to the users directly."
Currently, NRSC can deliver space ''products'' within four-five days of receiving the data. This new ground segment would enable to do this work within 12 hours and supply "emergency products" within an hour.
