As a part of its commitment to use space technology for national devel
opment, Indian Space Research Organization has successfully developed
and placed four operational Remote Sensing Satellites, IRS-1A, 1B, P2
and 1C in orbit, The first two satellites carried 4-band CCD cameras t
o image the earth from polar sun synchronous orbits at spatial resolut
ions of 72 and 36 m respectively, IRS P2 carried a 4-band 36 m resolut
ion camera, The data from these remote sensors have been extensively u
sed by a variety of user agencies in various programmes for national d
evelopment. To expand and continue the operational services to the use
r community, ISRO launched the second generation IRS satellite IRS-1C
on 28 December 1995, with significantly increased capabilities for rem
ote sensing, The IRS-IC carries three distinct and mutually complement
ing imaging payloads, providing considerable improvements in spatial r
esolution, spectral coverage, and capability for stereoscopic imaging,
Improved temporal resolution is catered for through the inclusion of
a sensor with a wide field of view coverage, In this article we briefl
y survey the design features of these three cameras.