ISRO's Desk

India to launch satellites to study climate change

India shall soon be launching two dedicated satellites in polar orbit to study climate change through atmospheric research and detection of greenhouse gases. It will make India one of the few countries in the world to have such advanced facility to study the impact of climate change due to emission of greenhouse gases. www.thaindian.com

Oceansat-2 Progress

Oceansat-2, a new sea surface colour monitor launched by ISRO has begun beaming images and relaying data on sea surface wind speed and direction, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation. Its Ku-band, pencil beam Scatterometer, an active microwave sensor detects sea-surface wind speed and direction. The radio occultation sounder, developed by the Italian space agency, measures the lower atmosphere and ionosphere. www.isro.gov.in

ISRO to map Himalayan region

ISRO’s Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad will undertake mapping and tracing of the Himalayan region to keep track of the movement of glaciers and their health. This is to put in place governance and management of the Himalayan eco-system. The mission aims to scientifically study the impact of climate change on Indian Himalaya and put in place adaptation measures to meet the growing challenge. www.hindu.com

Dr K Radhakrishnan takes over as Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission and Chairman, ISRO

Dr K Radhakrishnan, Member, Space Commission and Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, assumed the office of Chairman, Space Commission, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Dr K Radhakrishnan is an accomplished technocrat with a distinguished career of more than 38 years in the fields of space technology, applications and space programme management. Dr Radhakrishnan graduated in Electrical Engineering from Kerala University (1970) and obtained his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (1976). He was awarded PhD by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, in the year 2000. He was the key person in the Chandrayaan-1 mission, responsible for realisation of PSLV C-11 launch vehicle. Under his stewardship, five successful launches of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) were realised and 20 spacecraft including Chandrayaan-1 were taken to the desired orbits precisely. www.isro.org