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Showing posts from April, 2009

ISRO Launches Israeli-Built Radar Imaging Satellite

Giving a big boost to its defence surveillance capabilities, India today successfully launched an all-weather Israeli-built spy satellite that will help security agencies keep a vigil on the country's borders. Indian space agency ISRO's workhorse, PSLV-C12 rocket soared majestically into a clear sky at 6.45 am from the spaceport in Sriharikota and placed its first Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT 2) and micro-educational satellite ANUSAT into orbit about 19 minutes later in a textbook launch. The 300 kg RISAT-2 will primarily keep an eye on the country's borders round-the-clock and help in anti-infiltration and anti-terrorist operations. A jubilant ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said "the year 2009 has started off well. The final moments of the launch were more thrilling than a cricket match as we hit a few boundaries and bowled some googlies." Nair said the performance of the PSLV-C12 launch vehicle was "precise and on the dot". "Again, we have se

India's first homegrown carrier passes production milestone

The keel of the Indian Navy's first indigenous aircraft carrier (Project 71) was laid by Cochin Shipyard Ltd in Kochi, Kerala The 37,500-ton carrier - to be named Vikrant - will be built in two phases: the first covering work up to launch at the end of 2010, the second for fitting out and other activities prior to delivery in 2014. According to an Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) statement on 27 February, Vikrant will be powered by four LM2500 gas turbines developing 80 MW in total and providing a speed of more than 28 kt. The 252 m-long carrier will have two take-off runways and a landing strip with three arrestor wires. The embarked air arm will eventually comprise up to 30 aircraft, including Russian-built MiG-29K multirole fighters, locally designed light combat aircraft and about 10 Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters.