RISAT-2 and ANUSAT

In its fifteenth mission carried out from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota today (April 20, 2009), ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C12) successfully placed two satellites - RISAT-2 and ANUSAT - in the desired orbit.

RISAT-2 is a Radar Imaging Satellite with the capability to take images of the earth during day and night as well as cloudy conditions.

At the time of launch, RISAT-2 weighed about 300 kg and was realised by ISRO in association with Israel Aerospace Industries. The satellite was placed in an orbit of 550 km height with an inclination of 41 deg to the equator and an orbital period of about 90 minutes. This satellite will enhance ISRO's capability for earth observation, especially during floods, cyclones, landslides and in disaster management in a more effective way.

The 44 metre tall PSLV-C12 weighing 230 ton was launched from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at SDSC SHAR in the Core Alone configuration without the use of six solid strap-ons. In this mission, in addition to RISAT-2, PSLV also carried A 40 kg micro satellite named ANUSAT, built by Anna University, Chennai. ANUSAT is the first experimental communication satellite built by an Indian University under the over all guidance of ISRO and will demonstrate the technologies related to message store and forward operations.

Integration of PSLV for the C12 flight commenced at the Second Launch Pad in SDSC, SHAR on February 26, 2009. Following this, the first, second, third and fourth stages of the vehicle along with the satellites were fully integrated. After a 48 hour countdown, the vehicle and the satellites successfully underwent various levels of functional checks at the launch centre.

In this flight, PSLV carried the indigenously developed Advanced Mission Computers and Advanced Telemetry System, which guided the vehicle from lift-off till the injection of the two satellites in the desired orbit.

PSLV-C12 lifted off from the Second Launch Pad at 6:45 am IST (0115 UT) today with the ignition of its first stage. The important flight events included the separation of the first stage, ignition of the second stage, separation of the payload fairing at about 115 km altitude after the vehicle had cleared the dense atmosphere, second stage separation, third stage ignition, third stage separation, fourth stage ignition and fourth stage cut-off.

The main payload, RISAT-2, was the first satellite to be separated in orbit at 1100 seconds after lift-off at an altitude of 550 km. About 60 seconds later, ANUSAT was separated.

With this successful launch, the versatility and the reliability of PSLV has been proved again underscoring its importance as the workhorse launch vehicle of India. Today's launch was the fourteenth consecutive success for PSLV. In these launches, PSLV has placed a total of sixteen Indian satellites and sixteen foreign satellites into Polar, Geosynchronous Transfer and Low Earth Orbits. It may be recalled that during its previous mission on October 22, 2008, PSLV had successfully launched Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, which is now exploring the moon from lunar orbit.

Salient features of National Investigation Agency

• The Bill for constitution of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to be applicable to whole of India, citizens of India outside India and persons on shops and aircraft registered in India.
• Officers of the NIA to have all powers, privileges and liabilities which the police officers have in connection with investigation of any offence.
• The police officer in charge of a police station on receipt of the report of the offence shall forward it to the state government which in turn will send it to the Centre.
• If the Centre feels the offence is terror related, it shall direct the NIA for investigation.

• Provision for transfer of investigation and trial of offences to state government with Centre's prior approval.
• NIA may investigate other offences connected with terror-related offences.
• A state government shall extend all assistance to NIA for investigation of terror-related offences.
• Provisions of the Act with regard to investigation shall not affect powers of the state government to investigate and prosecute any terror crime or other offences.
• The Centre shall constitute special courts for trial of terror-related offences.
• Special Courts may sit at any place for any of its proceedings.
• For speedy and fair trial, the Supreme Court may transfer any case pending with the special court to another special court in the same state or any other state, and the High Court may transfer such cases to any other special court within the state.
• Offences punishable with imprisonment for less than three years may be tried summarily.

• Bill for federal agency tabled in Lok Sabha
• Special court to have all powers of the court of sessions under CrPC for trial of any offence under the Act.
• Proceedings to be held 'in camera' if special court deems it necessary.
• Trial to be held on day-to-day basis on all working days and to have precedence over the trial of other offences.
• State governments empowered to constitute one or more special courts.
• No appeal shall be entertained after the expiry of 90 days. Highlights of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2008.
• Use of bombs, dynamite, poisons or noxious gases, biological radioactive nuclear substances are terror act.
• Aiding, abetting or committing a terrorist act shall be punishable with imprisonment up to ten years.
• Funding terror activities, organising training camps and recruiting persons for committing terror acts shall be punishable with at least five years' imprisonment.
• Detention of accused upto 180 days if investigation not completed.
• No bail shall be granted if accused is not an Indian citizen and has entered the country unauthorisedly.
• No accused, if in custody, to be released on bail or on his own bond.
• Court shall presume, unless contrary is shown, that accused has committed offence.

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