India’s first space mission of 2022 is underway — Here’s everything you need to know

Feb 14, 2022

By: Marcia Sekhose

First space mission of 2022

ISRO today conducted India’s first space mission of 2022 as it launched an Earth observation satellite.

Credit: ISRO

The satellite

It’s an Earth Observation EOS-04 that weighs 1710 kg and generates 2280 W power.

Credit: ISRO

The rocket

ISRO used the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C52 to launch the satellite into orbit.

Credit: ISRO

Launchpad

PSLV lifted off from the launchpad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota making it the 80th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

Credit: ISRO

The mission

The EOS-04 which is a radar imaging satellite will provide high-quality images for agriculture, forestry and plantations, soil moisture and hydrology and food mapping. The satellite has a mission life of 10 years.

Credit: Unsplash

Successful launch after EOS-03

ISRO had attempted to launch the EOS-03 satellite last year in August but it failed during liftoff.

Credit: ISRO

Two more satellites

ISRO also launched two small satellites INSPIREsat-1 and INS-2TD along with the Earth observation satellite.

Credit: ISRO

​INSPIREsat-1

INSPIREsat-1 is a student satellite called INSPIREsat-1 and it’s a collaboration between Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST) and the Laboratory of Atmospheric & Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Credit: University-of-Colorado-Boulder

The mission

This mission will carry out measurements of the ionosphere for superheated gas (plasma) and other dynamics.

Credit: Unsplash

INS-2TD

INS-2TD is a technology demonstrator satellite that is a precursor to INS-2B, the India-Bhutan Joint Satellite.

Credit: ISRO

What it does

This satellite carries a thermal imaging camera to assess land and water surface temperature and thermal inertia at day and at night.

Credit: Unsplash

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