What is ISRO's EMISAT? Why is the mission so special?

New Delhi : India's space agency ISRO has launched its electronic intelligence satellite EMISAT from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh today. Along with the master satellite, 28 nano satellites have been lifted off and with this the country claims to have located a new surveillance satellite in the space. 

ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launch began at 6:27 am on Sunday and it's the 71st launch vehicle mission for Sriharikota. For the first time, the space agency has invited common people to witness the launch of EMISAT.

About EMISAT and its benefits

The low-Earth orbit satellite weighs 436 kg. It will monitor and give locations for enemy radar sites deep in their territory. 

Till date, India was using airplanes as early warning platforms, but this EMISAT satellite will give a space-based platform to sniff out enemy radars.

The mission will see ISRO placing payloads in three orbits and conducting space experiments for the first time. "The immediate mission what we are targeting is the PSLV C-45. This mission is special in the sense, for the first time PSLV will have a three-orbit mission in a single flight," said ISRO chairman K Sivan.

EMISAT will measure the electromagnetic spectrum, at around 17 minutes from lift off in a 749 km orbit,

The launch also carries 28 small satellites of the US, Switzerland, Lithuania and Spain. These include 20 Flock-4A satellites and 4 Lemur satellites that supplied images regarding Balakot air strikes by the Air Force.

In this ISRO enemy radar mission, the last stage of the rocket will be kept alive for several weeks before it becomes a waste in the space.

The rocket will be used as orbital platform or an orbiting space laboratory where three instruments are attached to the rocket motor.

The instrument in the rocket includes a maritime ship identification system which will help to study the upper atmosphere or ionosphere.