India launches radar-imaging satellite

By Harmeet Shah Singh
CNN

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) - India on Monday launched a radar-imaging satellite built with Israeli assistance and equipped with all-weather and night-vision capabilities.

The Indian Space Research Organization, which last year launched an unmanned mission to the moon, said RISAT-2 would boost its Earth observation, especially during natural disasters such as floods, cyclones and landslides.

In a statement after the launch at 6:45 a.m. local time, the space agency made no mention of defense surveillance as a possible use for the satellite, which weighs 300 kg (661 pounds) and is in orbit 550 km (341 miles) from Earth.

RISAT-2 took off from Sriharikota, along India's eastern coast.

India also launched a 40-kg (88-pound) micro-satellite named ANUSAT at the same time.

The space agency described ANUSAT as an experimental communications satellite built under its guidance by an Indian university.