GISAT-1 Launch Postponed Again, This Time Due to Coronavirus Lockdown

The launch of GISAT-1 earth ascertainment satellite has been pushed back for the second time in just over a month. According to the PTI, the launch has at present been put off indefinitely because of the coronavirus lockdown. "We cannot launch GISAT-one due to lockdown. An exercise like launching a satellite requires about 1,000 people to do deal with its various aspects", said a source quoted by the news agency.

The proposed launch was reportedly rescheduled for this month following the initial postponement in March, although, ISRO never announced a date for it officially. The satellite was originally scheduled to be launched onboard the GSLV-F10 launcher from the Satish Dhawan Infinite Middle in Sriharikota, Tamil Nadu, on March 5, but the launch was postponed due to technical reasons. ISRO is yet to brand an official statement on the matter, but co-ordinate to the sources, no fresh engagement has been fixed for the launch only even so.

The GISAT-i weighs effectually 2,275 kg and has a lifespan of seven years. Co-ordinate to the PTI, it will enable almost existent-fourth dimension ascertainment of the Indian subcontinent under cloud-free conditions at frequent intervals. It volition also aid the government and relief agencies monitor regions struck by natural disasters and keep a constant watch on borders as a security measure.

The satellite volition too accept a multi- and hyper-spectral imagery along with the 700 mm Ritchey-Chretien telescope for world observation and data collection, plus a loftier-resolution photographic camera. The satellite has been designed to obtain spectral signatures of agriculture, forestry, mineralogy, disaster alert, cloud backdrop, snow, glaciers and oceanography.