Risat SAR

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Bharat Karnad

The important thing about the Risat-1 sent up a few days back is that the synthetic aperture radar in it is of Israeli origin. However, the SAR on board Risat-2 will be the entirely indigeneous, tho’ a little bulkier than the Israeli item, but not any less effective. But it’ll be adequately miniaturised by the time Risat-3 is up. A five-Risat constellation will provide India, in a couple of years from now, with 24/7 surveillance and other sensor coverage vis a vis China and of the Indian Ocean region, and substantively change the geostrategics, especially with regard to India not being surprised by any Chinese military moves and by way of affording security to South East Asian nations.

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11 Responses to Risat SAR

NK says:

May 2, 2012 at 7:55 am

Bharat sir, my question is on unrelated topic. I know the current UPA is not at all inclined towards testing and proofing our thermonuclear designs. But in your interactions with BJP/NDA leaders, did this topic ever come up? Do they have an open mind towards further testing?

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- Bharat Karnad says:
  
  May 2, 2012 at 8:18 am
  
  Yup.
  
  Reply
Satyaki says:

May 2, 2012 at 11:02 am

Bharat Sir, you have still recently said that our testing thermonuclear weapons in the future is inevitable (only a matter of time). Is this still the case even if the UPA manages to cling onto power/ some third front like entity replaces the UPA ?

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- Bharat Karnad says:
  
  May 2, 2012 at 6:04 pm
  
  The political calculus changes with a third front-type govt, but not if UPA returns to power in 2014.
  
  Reply
  - Satyaki says:
    
    May 2, 2012 at 10:31 pm
    
    Even if the third front is like in 1990, having communists as outside supporters as well ?
    Also, if nothing changes in the event of a UPA return, we cannot say that testing is inevitable (though I hope we are soon freed from this UPA disaster).
Joydeep Ghosh says:

May 2, 2012 at 4:14 pm

@bharat sir

i think you have made a mistake

300 kg RISAT 2 sent after 26/11 is of Israeli origin and 1850 kg RISAT 1 sent few days back is of Indian origin.

Another thing is that if i am not wrong their will be a series of 7 RISAT satellites in total, correct me if i am wrong

thanks

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- Bharat Karnad says:
  
  May 2, 2012 at 6:10 pm
  
  You are right, mixed up Risat 1 & Risat 2. As many as 7 Risats but a minimum 5 to get the business done.
  
  Reply
Jagdish says:

May 2, 2012 at 11:17 pm

Any plans for an integrated space command or is it going to be same old division of assets and duplication of resources, where none get enough?

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- Bharat Karnad says:
  
  May 3, 2012 at 10:23 pm
  
  IAF has been pitching for it for many years now, with an AF CINC but no tangible progress yet. There is however a flagrank — Air Marshal’s — post as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Aerospace) in Air HQrs.
  
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rajulu says:

May 13, 2012 at 3:45 pm

is there any possisiblity in such unforeseen circumstances that the u.s can achieve to take back nukes from pakistan securely sir?

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- Bharat Karnad says:
  
  May 13, 2012 at 4:54 pm
  
  No. As I have repeatedly written Pakistan fears that while 70% of its nuclear arsenal can be taken out by the United States, the remaining 30% is so well-hidden, they will never be found. In the event Washington is unlikely to risk any preemptive actions.
  
  Reply