| RISAT-2B | |
| Names List: | Radar Imaging Satellite-2B |
| Mission Type: | Earth observation Radar imaging satellite disaster management) |
| Operator: | ISRO |
| Cospar Id: | 2019-028A |
| Satcat: | 44233 |
| Website: | https://www.isro.gov.in/ |
| Mission Duration: | 5 years (planned) (in progress) |
| Spacecraft: | RISAT-2B |
| Spacecraft Bus: | RISAT |
| Manufacturer: | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Power: | 2000 watts |
| Launch Date: | 22 May 2019, 00:00 UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-CA PSLV-C46 |
| Launch Site: | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, First Launch Pad (FLP) |
| Launch Contractor: | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Entered Service: | August 2019 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric orbit |
| Orbit Regime: | Sun-synchronous orbit |
| Orbit Inclination: | 37.0° |
| Orbit Period: | 93.0 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Instruments: | Synthetic Aperture Radar (X-band) (SAR-X) |
| Programme: | Earth observation satellites series |
| Previous Mission: | Cartosat-2F |
| Next Mission: | Cartosat-3 |
RISAT-2B, or Radar Imaging Satellite-2B is an Indian radar reconnaissance satellite that is part of India's RISAT programme and the third satellite in the series. It is built by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to replace RISAT-2.
RISAT-2B satellites will succeed India's ten-year-old RISAT-2 spacecraft. Equipped with X-band radar imagers, RISAT-2B monitors the Earth day and night, in any weather conditions. RISAT uses a technique called Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to build images of the Earth below it. Signals transmitted from the satellite are reflected from the surface and its echo is recorded when it reaches back to the satellite. These signals can then be processed to build a profile of the ground below. The RISAT constellation is operated by the ISRO. While ISRO states the satellites applications as supporting agriculture, forestry and disaster management, their primary purpose is military surveillance.[1]
RISAT-2B can operate in different modes including Very High Resolution Radar (VHRR) imaging modes of 1 × 0.5 m resolution and 0.5 × 0.3 m resolution. It is placed in an inclined orbit for better revisit rates over area of interest. Being a radar imaging satellite, RISAT-2B can image during day or night and in all weather conditions.[2]
RISAT-2B's main sensor is an indigenously developed synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite operating in X-band with 3.6 m radial rib antenna. The satellite is utilized for high resolution spot imaging of locations of interest and it has a mass of .[3]
It was successfully launched aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C46 launch vehicle at 00:00 UTC on 22 May 2019 from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.[4] [5]