Prior to launch, ISRO renamed the IRS-P5 spacecraft to Cartosat-1, to describe more aptly the application spectrum of its observation data. IRS-P5 is a stereoscopic Earth observation satellite which generates Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and other value added products.

The spacecraft structure is of IRS-1C/1D and IRS-P3 heritage.

The structure of the spacecraft consists of the MPL (Main Platform) and the PPL (Payload Platform). The MPL consists of main cylinder assembly, four vertical panels, top deck and bottom deck. The cylinder assembly comprises of a central load bearing cylinder, satellite interface ring and top ring. The top ring of the cylinder interfaces with the top deck. All the four panels consist of a CFRP cone, PPL deck, wedges for camera mounting, bracket to mount the payload electronic package near to the Detector Head assembly, and star sensor mounting wedge. The CFRP interface cone isolates the PPL Deck and the MPL. The two cameras are encompassed within a thermal cover assembly with two hoods and anchored to the PPL deck.

The satellite covered the entire globe in 1,867 orbits on a 126-day cycle.

Mission control was handled by ISTRAC in Bangalore, India with telemetry, tracking and command at further ground stations in Lucknow, Biak and Mauritius. Data reception was done at NRSC, Shadnagar, India and DLR in Neustrelitz, Germany.

• GAF Description Page*
• IRS-P5 (Cartosat-1) on the eoPortal*

*The information provided is sourced and updated by external entities. For further details, please consult our Terms and Conditions page.