SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 4

SSC Selection Post - Matriculation Level - 1st August 2025 - Shift 3 • General Awareness • Q4

Which Indian satellite provides high-resolution images for monitoring agriculture, forestry, and coastal resources?

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

Correct Answer

Cartosat-3

Explanation

Cartosat-3 is a third-generation, highly advanced earth observation and remote sensing satellite built and developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Launched on November 27, 2019, it features incredibly sharp high-resolution imaging capabilities. It provides a panchromatic ground resolution of up to 25 cm (0.25 meters) and a multispectral resolution of 1 meter. This ultra-high-resolution data is extensively utilized for multi-spectral urban and rural resource management, precise agricultural assessment, infrastructure planning, forestry canopy measurement, and monitoring vulnerable coastal land use and regulation.

Key Points

The Cartosat series serves as a critical wing of the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) program designed for large-scale cartographic mapping and earth surface analysis.

RISAT-2 (Radar Imaging Satellite) is an all-weather radar imaging system primarily deployed for defense surveillance, tracking border movements, and emergency flood management.

GSAT-6 and INSAT-4B belong to the telecommunication and broadcasting satellite families rather than earth observation or resource-mapping groups.

Important Questions and Answers

Question: Which launch vehicle was used by ISRO to place the Cartosat-3 satellite into its Sun-synchronous orbit?

Answer: Cartosat-3 was successfully launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, specifically the PSLV-C47 mission.

Question: What is the primary operational advantage of a radar imaging satellite like RISAT compared to an optical satellite like Cartosat-3?

Answer: Radar imaging satellites can capture surface data through dense cloud cover and in complete darkness (nighttime), whereas optical imaging satellites require clear daylight conditions