ISRO plans to build two satellites, DISHA-L&H, to Study Upper Atmosphere

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to build an identical pair of satellites/twin satellites namely ‘DISHA (Disturbed and quiet time Ionosphere-thermosphere System at High Altitudes)’ in L and H variants, for studying the earth’s upper atmosphere. The twin Aeronomy mission, “DISHA-H&L mission” conceptualized by ISRO.

• The twin aeronomy mission is aimed at capturing latitudinal and longitudinal effects of space weather events on the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
• They will be launched in the low earth orbit, about 500 kilometres above earth.

Key Points:

1. DISHA satellites will study space weather and solar-terrestrial interactions. This will help provide advance warnings based on space weather so that preventive actions can be taken quickly.
2. The two satellites will carry identical payloads. DISHA H&L will add to the space and ground-based infrastructure for achieving a better understanding of the space weather effects, which will eventually lead to better planning for the protection of the space and ground-based assets.

• The data generated by the proposed ISRO’s solar mission Aditya L1 and by DISHA satellites would help to understand the Sun-Earth linkages.