The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch a Radar Imaging Satellite (RIS) into orbit by the end of 2009.

The satellite will enable India and other Asian countries to obtain images of any part of the world, even during the monsoons and after sunset, said deputy director of Sensors Development Area, Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Mr. A.S. Kirankumar. He was speaking at a press meeting organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Intel in Kolkata today. He said the satellites which India had launched into orbit earlier do not provide images during the monsoons and after sunset. Thick cloud layer in the atmosphere obstructs these satellites from taking clear images of the landscape during the monsoons. The RIS has been specially designed to circumvent these limitations. The satellite, which is the first of its kind to be launched by India, is being developed at an investment of Rs 600 crore, he said.