Resourcesat-2 Satellite Launched

The launch of remote-sensing satellite the ResourceSat-2 has been tentatively scheduled for 10.12 a.m., April 20 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

1,206 kg satellite

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C16) will launch the 1,206-kg satellite along with two other satellites — YouthSat and X-Sat — from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

ResourceSat-2, built by ISRO, is an advanced remote sensing satellite and designed for the study and management of natural resources.

YouthSat, weighing 92 kg, is a joint Indo-Russian satellite for stellar and atmospheric studies. X-Sat is a microsatellite for imaging applications built by the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

All the three satellites have been integrated into the launcher, an ISRO release said. After the final phase of vehicle operations assessment is completed, the pre-launch and launch rehearsal procedures will be carried out.

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Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh): India on Wednesday successfully launched the advanced earth observation satellite Resourcesat-2, a move aimed at beefing up its remote sensing capability, and two smaller satellites on the PSLV rocket from its spaceport here.

On Wednesday morning around 10.15 a.m., the Indian Space Research Organisation's Rs.90 crore rocket - the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) - soared towards the heavens to place in orbit Resourcesat-2.

Built to last for five years, the Rs.140 crore crore Resourcesat-2 will augment ISRO's remote sensing data services. It will replace Resourcesat-1 sent up in 2003.

Resourcesat-2 was originally scheduled for a January launch but got postponed to February and then to April.

Apart from carrying three sophisticated cameras, the satellite also carries additional equipment called AIS (Automatic Information System) from COMDEV, Canada, for the surveillance of ships in the VHF band to derive their position and speed, among others.

"With the launch of Resourcesat-2, ISRO will have 10 remote sensing satellites in orbit- Resourcesat 1, TES, Cartosat 1, 2, 2A and 2B, IMS-1, RISAT-2, Oceansat-2," S. Satish, ISRO's director (Publications and Public Relations), said.

With the largest civilian remote sensing satellite constellation in the world, India is a global leader earning a sizeable amount vending imageries in a variety of spatial resolutions, spectral bands and swaths.

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Rs.2 PER KG RICE for KERALA !

Currently rice for Rs 2 is available to only those who are listed in the below poverty line category. For other card holders, the price is Rs 9 per kg.

The Left Front government in Kerala is set to announce an ambitious programme where rice for all would be offered at Rs 2 per kg, according to state Finance Minister Thomas Issac.

"It will cost (the government) around Rs 30 crore a month and I am taking the gamble. I am doing this because some people appear to be wondering if Tamil Nadu can do this, why not Kerala," asked Issac, referring to the policy in the neighbouring state.

When asked whether the plan has been approved, the minister said it is almost through and will come up in Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

"This programme will be available to all those who register their name with the civil supplies department to join the scheme. Then we will decide on what should be the ceiling limit for each card holder," Mr.Issac said.

The move is significant as state assembly polls will be announced soon with the government's term ending May 17 ,2011.

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