IRS-1D beams right signals
M S Shankar in Hyderabad
The IRS-1D satellite's normal functioning is cause for some jubilation
among space scientists in the city.
The National Remote Sensing
Agency earth station at Shadnagar on the city's outskirts,
has received some 'excellent' pictures from the three cameras
on board the IRS-ID.
The cameras were tested by commands from the spacecraft
control centre of the ISRO telemetry, tracking and command network,
in Bangalore.
"The three cameras -- the high
resolution panchromatic, multi-spectral linear imaging self
scanner and the wide field sensor are performing
well. The images too are of good quality," confirmed a NRSA spokesperson.
Meanwhile, an ISRO statement revealed that the PAN camera was tested
for the first time on October 7 at 10.44 am IST. At that stage the satellite
was in its 129th orbit around earth, and was passing over Allahabad,
Madurai and Tuticorin during the camera operation.
The LISS-III
and WIFS were tested in the subsequent orbit at 12.33 pm as the
satellite passed over the Gulf countries.
The PAN camera is a high resolution camera with a 5.8 metre ground
resolution. While LISS-III operates four spectral bands in the
electromagnetic spectrum -- three are visible near infrared, NIR
and one in the short wave infrared region, SWIR.
WIFS, the third
camera, has a ground resolution from IRS-ID, along with data from
IRS-1C which enhances its applications and capability pertaining to the land and
water resources management in the country.
The IRS-1D satellite was raised to the 'functional orbit' after
manoeuvres by the orbit engineers at the ISRO. It is now perfectly
in position. ISRO chairman Dr K Kasturirangan, who was in
the city, has expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the satellite.
The orbit will be 'fine tuned,' as it could now attain a perigee
(nearest to earth) of 700 km to ensure normal operations.
"The manoeuvre carried out since September 29 to raise the satellite's
orbit would also help ensure the planned mission life for at least three
years," the spokesman added.
The color coded imagery obtained
from the WIFS was taken over the Iran-Oman-United Arab Emirates
region, while the LISS-III beamed an imagery of South Iran covering
an area of about 28 kms by 28 kms, with a 23 metre ground resolution.
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