Saral to Study Oceans

The Satellite with Argos and Altika (SARAL) has been successfully launched on 25th February, 2013 at 18:01 hrs, onboard Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-20 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.

SARAL is an oceanographic satellite jointly developed by Indian Space Research organization (ISRO) and the French Space Agency CNES. The satellite, weighing 407 kg, carries three payloads, namely ALTIKA (a Ka band altimeter) for studying the sea surface topography, ARGOS a data collection platform and a Solid State C-Band Transponder (SCBT) used for calibration of Ground Radars at SDSC, SHAR. The satellite is built by ISRO, whereas CNES contributed the ARGOS and ALTIKA payloads.

The main objective of SARAL satellite is to develop and launch a joint Indo-French oceanographic satellite for applications like marine meteorology and sea state forecasting, climate monitoring, continental ice studies, environmental monitoring, protection of biodiversity and improvement in maritime security.

The Minister of State in the ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions and in the Prime Minister’s Office Shri V. Narayanasamy Gave this information in reply to a written question in the lok Sabha today.

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