Bengaluru, February 16, 2024: India’s space agency, ISRO, brought back its Cartosat-2 satellite back to Earth on February 14th, 2024. Launched in 2007, the satellite served for 17 years, providing high-resolution images for various purposes like urban planning.
ISRO used leftover fuel to carefully guide Cartosat-2 into the Earth’s atmosphere. This “controlled descent” ensured the satellite burned up completely or landed harmlessly in the Indian Ocean, minimizing any risk of space debris. This approach followed international guidelines for responsible space activities.
Initially, Cartosat-2 would have taken 30 years to fall naturally. By actively de-orbiting it, ISRO helped keep space cleaner and safer for future missions. This demonstrates India’s commitment to the long-term sustainability of space exploration.
This mission showcased ISRO’s advanced spacecraft tracking and control capabilities. They accurately predicted Cartosat-2’s re-entry path and monitored it closely until its final moments.
Cartosat-2’s successful de-orbiting marks a significant milestone for ISRO, demonstrating its technical prowess and commitment to responsible space practices. This paves the way for future missions with even greater sophistication and sustainability.
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