Sriharikota: ISRO will
launch India's maiden satellite mission called Megha Tropiques to study
the monsoon and climate change from Sriharikota, a barrier island
located off the coast of Andhra Pradesh, today. The satellite, which is a
joint Indo-French project, will help in promote understanding of
climate change. It will do this by helping to promote the dynamics of
clouds and more importantly how global warming will impact the monsoon.
Speaking to NDTV who got exclusive access inside ISRO to understand the workings of the satellite, Dr. G. Raju, Project Director, Megha Tropiques, ISRO, said, ''...The whole world is looking at this mission, because this is a global mission and many countries around the world are interested to share the data with us.''
Built at a cost of hundreds of crores of rupees the satellite mission is truly the first truly joint international mission by ISRO. Data from the mission is going to be shared with many international weather scientists.
India is contributing the satellite bus and rocket, while France has provided most of the high tech scientific instruments. Those working on the project say it almost got abandoned midway because of disagreements, but these are now happier times. Oliver Simonella, a spacecraft engineer from the French Space Agency echoes the feeling of happiness and cooperation. When asked if he liked working on the joint project he said, ''Oh yes, of course, of course because people are so nice with us and will do the same for the team and it is fun to work together. It's very nice. I really appreciate it.''
India's workhorse rocket the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or the PSLV will hoist the satellite into space. This unique satellite has day and night and all weather viewing capabilities. It will pass over India almost a dozen times every day giving scientists an almost real time assessment of the evolution of clouds. So clearly, this satellite could well be a game changer for India in understanding the dynamics of the atmosphere, the energy and the water balance of the atmosphere.
Speaking to NDTV who got exclusive access inside ISRO to understand the workings of the satellite, Dr. G. Raju, Project Director, Megha Tropiques, ISRO, said, ''...The whole world is looking at this mission, because this is a global mission and many countries around the world are interested to share the data with us.''
Built at a cost of hundreds of crores of rupees the satellite mission is truly the first truly joint international mission by ISRO. Data from the mission is going to be shared with many international weather scientists.
India is contributing the satellite bus and rocket, while France has provided most of the high tech scientific instruments. Those working on the project say it almost got abandoned midway because of disagreements, but these are now happier times. Oliver Simonella, a spacecraft engineer from the French Space Agency echoes the feeling of happiness and cooperation. When asked if he liked working on the joint project he said, ''Oh yes, of course, of course because people are so nice with us and will do the same for the team and it is fun to work together. It's very nice. I really appreciate it.''
India's workhorse rocket the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or the PSLV will hoist the satellite into space. This unique satellite has day and night and all weather viewing capabilities. It will pass over India almost a dozen times every day giving scientists an almost real time assessment of the evolution of clouds. So clearly, this satellite could well be a game changer for India in understanding the dynamics of the atmosphere, the energy and the water balance of the atmosphere.
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