ISRO posts images captured by the Cartosat-2 series satellite launched on 23 June

One 23 June, ISRO successfully launched the PSLV-C38 mission with 31 satellites on board. The main payload was the Cartosat-2 series satellite, another "eye in the sky" for India. The images captured by the satellite will be used for defense purposes, including monitoring troop movements and finding out the locations of bunkers. ISRO has shared images beamed back by the Cartosat 2 series satellite.[caption id="attachment_386203" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Panchromatic image of Doha, Qatar. Image: ISRO.[/caption][caption id="attachment_386204" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Multispectral image of Alexandria, Egypt. Image: ISRO.[/caption][caption id="attachment_386205" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Koila, Gayanpur in UP. Image: ISRO.[/caption][caption id="attachment_386206" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Multispectral image of Bhidaurya, UP. Image: ISRO.[/caption][caption id="attachment_386209" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The new railway station at Kishangarh. Image: ISRO.[/caption]The satellite is similar to five earlier satellites already deployed in the CartoSat 2 series. There are panchromatic and multispectral cameras on board which will be used to observe the Earth from a polar sun synchronous orbit at a height of 505 kilometers. The orbit is similar to the orbit of the CartoSat-2D, which was launched in the PSLV-C37 mission with 104 satellites on board. The orbit will allow the CartoSat-2 series to image the Earth when the sun is directly overhead, allowing for clear lighting conditions with minimal shadows. The imaging instruments on board are among the most advanced used by Indian satellites, and are capable of imaging the Earth in sub-meter resolutions. The satellite improves the resolution to 0.6 meters from previous Indian satellites that could image the Earth at a resolution of 0.8 meters.[caption id="attachment_386201" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Solar panel deployment test of the Cartosat-2 series satellite. Image: ISRO.[/caption]The images will be used for a number of Land Information System (LIS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. The satellite will be used for cartographic applications, creating land use maps, regulation of coastal land use, monitoring roads, and keeping track of water distribution. The main payload alone weighs 712 kg. There are reaction wheels, magnetic torquers and Hydrazine thrusters for controlling the satellite. The planned mission duration for the satellite is five years.