The indigenously built Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-1), launched on April 26, has been placed in its final Polar Sun-synchronous Orbit.

In a statement, ISRO said, as planned, on April 27-28, the satellite propulsion system was used in four orbital manoeuvres to raise the height of the orbit of RISAT-1 to 536 km.

The satellite is now in its final orbital configuration and in good health.

In the coming days, various elements of the C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar will be tested and calibrated as a prelude to payload operations.

The statement said, as compared to the optical remote sensing satellites that depend upon sunlight, the Synthetic Aperture Radar of RISAT-1 transmits its own radar pulses to study the objects on Earth.

This facilitates cloud penetration and imaging even without sunlight. Images sent by the 1,858 kg RISAT-1 will facilitate agriculture and disaster management.