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India Launches Its First All-Weather Spy Satellite
Posted by
timothy
on Mon Apr 20, 2009 07:52 AM
from the everybody's-doing-it dept.
from the everybody's-doing-it dept.
murthydn writes "According to a Times of India article, 'India on Monday successfully launched its first all-weather spy satellite that will help security agencies keep a watch on the movements on the borders. The satellite has all-weather capability to take images of the Earth and would also be beneficial in mapping and managing natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, besides amplifying defence surveillance capabilities of the nation. It would also help keep track of ships at sea that could pose a threat.'"
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All-Weather? so it can work with out rain fade? (Score:2)
All-Weather? so it can work with out rain fade?
Re: (Score:2)
It's all-weather, it has wipers for the rain.
But the headline says... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:But the headline says... (Score:4, Insightful)
From TFA:
"Though the satellite has a global coverage we will use it only for our use," ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair told reporters at a post-launch press conference.
Yeah... just like RICO was only used against gangsters, the PATRIOT act only against terrorists, and asset forfeiture only against drug lords. And red light cameras and automatic speed traps are for safety, not revenue generation. Sure.
Not that there's any reason that they couldn't or shouldn't use their new satellite to look at other nations, it's just annoying when officials say something like that that they know (or should know) will be false.
Parent
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Snigger... (Score:5, Funny)
"He said the launch of Anusat has prompted six other educational institutions"
With a name like that it *has* to be for looking at Uranus.
Re:Snigger... (Score:5, Informative)
Perhaps you were trying to be funny, but in case you were not, 'Anu' in Hindi means atom. So the name Anusat was probably for a very small satellite.
Parent
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Perhaps you were trying to be funny, but in case you were not, 'Anus' in English means butt. So the name Anusat was probably for a very small satellite that will explore your butt.
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Now you are just being anal.
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So... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:So... (Score:4, Informative)
Parent
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In space, nobody can hear your computer fry.
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With the implication being that the operations of certain other spy satellites are subject to present weather conditions in space. And I supposed since this is an all-weather spy satellite, they've solved the problem of getting hit by space rocks.
Overload! (Score:2)
We're talking about India here. That specific part of the satellite's remit will occupy all of it's attention, I'm afraid. They don't seem to get much luck in that area...
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They don't seem to have much luck in that area either..
I get the feeling... (Score:5, Insightful)
It might be keeping an close eye on Pakistan's nuclear weapons facilities too, given the way that country is heading. Can't be much fun having a collapsing nuclear power next door.
Re:I get the feeling... (Score:5, Funny)
Can't be much fun having a collapsing nuclear power next door.
I don't know. Would any Canadians like to comment?
Parent
Re:I get the feeling... (Score:4, Funny)
Parent
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I don't know what you're talking aboot.
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Can't be much fun having a collapsing nuclear power next door.
I don't know. Would any Canadians like to comment?
Iceland has nukes?!?
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2008/gb2008109_947306.htm?chan=globalbiz_europe+index+page_top+stories
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They have a vast supply of geothermal facilities. Obviously it is just a short step to weaponization. We must invade before we see a steam cloud over Washington.
Yeah - beging the space wars!!!! (Score:1)
So now, when Pakistan gets upset with India, they'll shoot down the satellite, which will mark the first space war.. Which will mark the way for N.K shooting down a US satellite, and we'll be in the wild wild west!!!
Not saying they shouldn't do it.. But it's an 'oh boy' moment for me.
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Extremely doubtful that the pakis could kill a sat at this point. Not impossible, but it's a non-trivial task. Also, the rest of the developed world would take a gigantic shit on them, because it would clutter up orbit even worse.
so we're allowed to use racist language on /. ? (Score:4, Informative)
Not sure how the term is received in the USA but over here in the UK calling somebody from Pakistan a "paki" is like calling somebody with African-American heritage a "nigger". Most people consider it outdated and downright offensive, most folk with Pakistani origins who live in the UK associate it with small minded neo-nazis shouting at them, parading through the streets and telling them to "go home" and worse.
For your information... Not sure how the the term is received in the USA. But if you ever came on holiday to the UK you'd be better not to use the term unless you wanted to get into fights quite regularly.
regards.
Parent
nice abuse of moderation (Score:2)
You may not agree with what I say, but that doesn't make it a troll. I know the moderator guidelines are complicated; perhaps an IQ test for moderators is in order?
Re: (Score:2)
After finding out how most of the world talks about Americans, I stopped giving one tenth of one shit about how I referred to anyone else. If they're offended they should refer to Mencken; I'm not prejudiced, I dislike everyone equally. I think the difference between the USA and any other nation is largely one of starting position on the board of Civilization.
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Judging from the complete lack of hysteria in the US about Pakistan's nukes, I'd say that the nukes are already under the US's control or they have veto power over deployment. Besides, Pakistan would risk being wiped out by any retaliatory attack should they attack anyone first. And they would likely lose any remaining sympathy the international community for their problems. That would be bad news for Pakistan, Taliban and their cronies.
Which way does the earth rotate? (Score:2)
Perhaps you meant a couple of hours earlier, as Pakistan is east of the Mediterranean Sea.
SAR (Score:4, Interesting)
In other words (Score:2)
First? (Score:2, Redundant)
India Launches Its First All-Weather Spy Satellite
How are they so sure? They're probably just the first country to admit having one.
Re: (Score:2)
India Launches Its First All-Weather Spy Satellite
How are they so sure? They're probably just the first country to admit having one.
You mean "probably the first of such satellites they admit having launched", right?
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probably the first of such satellites they admit having launched
That would imply the first satellite India admits launching. I'm talking about any country.
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But it's our WEATHER! (Score:3, Funny)
How dare they spy on all our Weather. It now belongs to THEM! For great justice.
Pakistan replies .... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Pakistan replies .... (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
Re:Pakistan replies .... (Score:5, Informative)
That is quite some way of putting things! In all fairness you have to realize that India and Pakistan have a serious trust problem with each other. Even though India would claim that the increased border defense (read more military near India-Pakistan border) is only for defense, in case of a future tense situation it would put Pakistan under immense pressure to mobilize its forces quite suddenly. The only rational move for them, therefore, is to move forces to the border already. And that implies weakening the force available at the Pakistan-Afganistan border and thus "reducing their efforts" in the war against terror.
Now you can all wish that we lived in a perfect world where such a reasoning in not needed, but unfortunately the reality of India-Pakistan relations is ugly and one of deep mistrust for each other. And in such a situation what you wrote in your post is a natural way to react for the parties.
PS: I am Indian and believe that Pakistan has a fucked up priorities with regards to India and its vision for its own future, but there is no need to put a shade of propaganda to everything.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Well put.
It's very tricky for the international community to even know how to help Pakistan right now. They don't have control of the North/Northwestern part of their country. They don't have leaders with any sort of vision (or even just wisdom/sense). And they are (quite justifiably) suspicious of the West and unlikely to accept help/suggestions.
I really hope they find some way to pull out of their current situation. And if/when they do, I hope they are able to establish a good civilian government able to
Re: (Score:2)
It is just this sort of sloppy thinking that got us into Iraq.
Insightful? Funny? This barely rises to the level of flamebait. I guess we really do need a (+1 Inciteful) moderation option.
Attention: Newbie Indian Space Program (Score:2)
So many 'good' uses! (Score:2)
The satellite has all-weather capability to take images of the Earth and would also be beneficial in mapping and managing natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, besides amplifying defence surveillance capabilities of the nation. It would also help keep track of ships at sea that could pose a threat.
Can't read TFA, since our work has it blocked for some bizarre reason (some seemingly arbitrary things are blocked), but the summary was a little amusing to me. They list off all these various ways th
Begging India (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
sorry but can u be more descriptive in the kind of aid the UK is providing to India? In which field? And are you sure that it is "aid"?
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Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
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