(a) whether Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched any satellite specifically for assisting in agriculture development;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of various functions which would be performed by the space observatory recently launched by ISRO; and;
(d) whether the observatory will send data related to agriculture, if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a)&(b) Yes Madam. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched Indian Remote Sensing Satellites in thematic series viz. Resourcesat, Cartosat and Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-1). The images acquired by these Satellites, in conjunction with field observations, are used for various applications in the area of agriculture development, which includes mapping and monitoring of agricultural crops & its condition, crop acreage estimation & production forecast, crop phenology & growth; site suitability for crops, cropping system analysis, watershed monitoring & management, command area management and drought assessment. These satellites are also used for varied applications in natural resource management, infrastructure planning and disaster management.
(c) Space observatory ASTROSAT, recently launched by ISRO carries five payloads to study the stars and galaxies in ultraviolet, optical and X-ray wavelength bands. The various functions performed by ASTROSAT are: (i) pointing the instruments to view stars and galaxies, (ii) measuring the intensity and spectra of the source using onboard detectors, (iii) storing the measurements from the detector in the onboard storage, (iv) transmission of the data to the Ground station for scientific analysis
(d) No Madam.
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