In the successful launch of RISAT-1 by ISRO from Sriharikota today, a private sector player Astra Microwave Products has contributed key parts for the satellite payload.
The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload gives the satellite its radar imaging capability and helps in taking visuals of the earth surface, both during day and night, under all weather conditions.
Hyderabad-based listed entity, Astra Microwave Products Ltd (AMPL), has supplied critical components and modules, including antennas that help to transmit and receive signals and generate the images.
Risat-1, launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, weighs 1,850 kg and is the heaviest to be put into space by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to date.
The ISRO provided the required specifications and AMPL built these modules indigenously.
The company has been associated with ISRO for the past decade supplying sub-systems for the communication satellites such as GSat and now the remote sensing payload, a spokesperson told Business Line today. Bangalore-based Centrum Electronics is another company that has contributed in today's launch, according to available information.
The payload will become operational in a few days and the Shadnagar earth station of the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) will start receiving imagery, which will be converted to data products over time.
AMPL, which bagged Rs 310 crore export order last week, has also been a significant contributor to the defence projects, especially in the radars and electronic warfare and missile programmes. The company has expertise in indigenously fabricating critical components for radars and microwave products.
The Rs 200-crore company has an order book of Rs 730 crore.
It has been instrumental in supply of components and sub-systems for wireless communication with application in space, defence and telecom sector.
The company has built manufacturing units and is one of the first private sector players to implement defence offsets.
soma@thehindu.co.in