The Hindu : Karnataka News : India to launch satellite in 2008 with French help

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

India to launch satellite in 2008 with French help

By Our Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE, MARCH 21. India will launch "Megha Tropiques," a satellite in 2008 with French collaboration, according to V. Jayaraman, Director, Earth Observation System and Geosphere Biosphere Programme, Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a seminar on "Modern trends in marine sciences" at Mangalagangotri, Mangalore University, on Monday, Dr. Jayaraman said the main area of operation of the satellite is energy and water system.

It will study aspects related to rain, humidity and earth radiation. The satellite will have three cameras.

He said that India will also launch "Ocean Sat-2," a remote sensing satellite and "RI Sat," a radar imaging satellite in 2006. Ocean Sat-2 will replace Ocean Sat-1. RI Sat will be used for ocean studies.

"The next three years will be exciting in the field of remote sensing," he said.

Dr. Jayaraman said that remote sensing has been mainly used for land (excluding water) studies. It has not been largely applied for ocean studies.

India launched Ocean Sat-I in 1999. He underlined the need for the wide application of remote sensing for ocean studies.

Dr. Jayaraman said that of the total global population 40 per cent lived in coastal areas. Any impact on coastal areas will also affect the population living there.

The coastal eco-system is affected by man-made activities and natural variabilities. Scientists, weather forecasters, information technology specialists, and economists should work together for an integrated coastal management.

Dr. Jayaraman said that remote sensing facility has been set up in 75 universities in the country.

B. Hanumaiah, Vice-Chancellor, Mangalore University, presided. T.R. Sridharamurthy, chairman and head, Department of Marine Geology, welcomed the gathering. K. Sundar Naik, Registrar, was present. The seminar had been organised by the Department of Marine Geology.

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