Satellite
Communication
Assignment
Name : Hari Prasath B U
Class : III Year ECE- A
Roll No. : 21ECA36
IRS 1C: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction
The Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) program, spearheaded by the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has played a pivotal role in advancing Earth
observation capabilities. IRS 1C, launched in 1995, stands as a testament to India's
technological prowess in the realm of space exploration. This report delves into the
intricacies of IRS 1C, encompassing its mission objectives, technical specifications,
applications, and contributions to the IRS program and the broader field of Earth
observation.
Mission Objectives
IRS 1C embarked on a mission to enhance the scope of Earth observation, fulfilling
the following objectives:
1. Enhanced Spatial Resolution: IRS 1C aimed to provide higher-resolution
imagery compared to its predecessors, enabling more detailed analysis of
Earth's surface features.
2. Multispectral Imaging: Equipped with a Linear Imaging Self-Scanning SensorIII (LISS-III), IRS 1C captured data across four spectral bands – green, red,
near-infrared, and mid-infrared – providing comprehensive information about
the Earth's spectral characteristics.
3. Wide Area Coverage: The inclusion of a Wide Field Imager (WiFS) enabled
IRS 1C to capture low-resolution imagery over a vast expanse, facilitating
synoptic-scale observations.
Technical Specifications
IRS 1C possessed an array of technical specifications that underpinned its
successful mission:
1. Orbit: Operating in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 825 km, IRS 1C
ensured consistent illumination and image repeatability.
2. Repeat Cycle: With a repeat cycle of 24 days, IRS 1C revisited the same
regions of the Earth at regular intervals, providing valuable time-series data.
3. Swath Width: The three imaging instruments on IRS 1C offered varying swath
widths: 60 km for the Panchromatic camera (PAN), 74 km for LISS-III, and
810 km for WiFS.
4. Spatial Resolution: IRS 1C achieved a remarkable spatial resolution of 5.8
meters for PAN, 23.5 meters for LISS-III, and 188 meters for WiFS.
Applications
IRS 1C data proved invaluable in a diverse range of applications:
1. Land Cover Mapping: The high-resolution imagery from IRS 1C enabled
accurate mapping of land cover types, including forests, agricultural lands,
urban areas, and water bodies.
2. Forestry: IRS 1C data played a crucial role in forest management, assisting in
forest inventory, monitoring deforestation, and assessing forest health.
3. Agriculture: The multispectral data from IRS 1C facilitated crop monitoring,
irrigation management, and soil analysis, contributing to agricultural
productivity.
4. Water Resources Management: IRS 1C data aided in mapping water bodies,
monitoring water quality, and assessing drought conditions, supporting
sustainable water management practices.
5. Disaster Management: IRS 1C data proved essential in disaster preparedness
and response, enabling flood mapping, damage assessment, and postdisaster monitoring.
Contributions to IRS Program and Earth Observation
IRS 1C's contributions to the IRS program and the broader field of Earth observation
are undeniable:
1. Technological Advancements: IRS 1C showcased India's technological
capabilities in satellite design and construction, paving the way for future
advancements.
2. Data Availability: IRS 1C provided a wealth of high-resolution, multispectral
data, expanding the scope of Earth observation research and applications.
3. Collaboration and Partnerships: IRS 1C data sharing initiatives fostered
international collaboration and data exchange, promoting global Earth
observation efforts.
4. Capacity Building: IRS 1C's success stimulated the development of Earth
observation expertise in India and other developing countries.
Conclusion
IRS 1C stands as a landmark in the history of Earth observation, demonstrating
India's commitment to space exploration and the importance of satellite data for
understanding and managing our planet. Its legacy lives on in the advancements it
inspired and the applications it enabled. IRS 1C paved the way for a new era of
Earth observation, providing invaluable insights into the complex processes shaping
our planet's ecosystems and resources.