GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2585
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2005

LAUNCH OF CARTOSAT-i

2585. DR. K. KASTURIRANGAN:

Will the MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether the planned launch of Cartosat-I this year will provide Survey of India with unique inputs to improve mapping methodology?

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the preparatory work to use the capabilities of Cartosat-I are progressing as per plans; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT

CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a)&(b): Yes Sir, Cartosat-I Satellite mission, to be launched in the near future has the capability to systematically cover the country with along-track stereo images with 2.5m. spatial resolution and 30 Km. swath. This unique high-resolution along-track stereo imaging capability, carried out for the first time anywhere in the world, will enable operational generation of the Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and various derived value added products thereon. The mission is expected to provide enhanced inputs for various large scale mapping applications and stimulate newer applications in the urban and rural development; land and water resources management; disaster assessment; relief planning and management environment impact assessment; and various other applications of Geographical Information System. Survey of India could make use of the Cartosat-I data for updating their topographic maps, besides making use of them in the generation of Large Scale topographic maps.

(c) & (d) Pilot activities for the generation of along-track stereo images and the Digital Elevation Models (DEM) have been satisfactorily completed. Activities pertaining to large scale base maps at 1:10,000 scale and related techniques for parameter retrieval etc. are already initiated, and these activities are likely to get a further boost after the launch of Cartosat-I.