Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made an unforgettable mark on the global space stage with its remarkable achievements, including the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the Moon. However, ISRO's reach extends far beyond space exploration, encompassing a diverse range of activities
Located within the icy expanse of Antarctica, ISRO operates a remote ground station known as the Antarctica Ground Station for Earth Observation Satellites (AGEOS). This state-of-the-art facility has been operational for over a decade, commissioned to ISRO in August 2013
AGEOS serves as a crucial link in ISRO's Earth Observation (EO) data collection network. It receives data from various Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites, including CARTOSAT-2 Series, SCATSAT-1, RESOURCESAT-2/2A, and CARTOSAT-1. Subsequently, this data is transmitted to the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) located near Hyderabad, India
The presence of the AGEOS station significantly bolsters ISRO's remote sensing capabilities. It plays an integral role in supporting diverse sectors such as agriculture, water resource management, urban planning, rural development, mineral prospecting, environmental monitoring, forestry, ocean resource management, and disaster management
AGEOS maintains uninterrupted operations, thanks to a dedicated team of ISRO engineers stationed at the Bharati Station in Antarctica. Their expertise ensures the smooth functioning of the station, contributing to the success of ISRO's remote sensing missions
One of AGEOS's unique advantages is its strategic location in the Polar region, providing increased visibility. The station can observe up to 10 passes per day for each mission, offering a comprehensive view of the Earth's surface
AGEOS not only caters to ISRO's requirements but also hosts a C-Band station commissioned at the National Centre for Antarctica & Ocean Research (NCAOR) in Goa, India. This station serves as a dedicated communication link between ISRO ground stations in India and one in Antarctica, supporting round-the-clock operations and various applications, including video conferencing, video streaming, and internet browsing
The satellite communication station at AGEOS plays a vital role in supporting the Indian scientific community conducting research at Maitri, another Indian station in Antarctica. Its contribution extends to scientific endeavours and environmental studies in the region