News Broadcasting
METSAT safe in orbital slot
MUMBAI: India’s first exclusive meteorological satellite, METSAT yesterday reached its space home at 74 degree east longitude at 36,000 kms altitude achieving its intended geo- stationary orbit.
The Very High Resolution Radiometer (VHRR) on board India’s first exclusive meteorological satellite, METSAT have been switched on from Master Control Facility, Hassan. The earth image in the Visible spectral band was taken in full-frame mode, which covers the full earth disc and the adjoining deep space.
METSAT was launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C4, from Satish Dhawan Space Center, SHAR on 12 September. Following the successful launch, orbit raising manoeuvres were conducted and the spacecraft was placed in the near Geo-Synchronous Orbit (GSO). The 3-axis stabilisation of the spacecraft was carried out on 16 September, 2002, while the detailed In-Orbit Testing (IOT) of the payload started from 23 September.
Meteorological services from METSAT are expected to commence from the first week of October.
News Broadcasting
Parikshit Luthra exits CNBC-TV18 after 20-year run
Former bureau chief to take brief pause before next role
NEW DELHI: Senior journalist Parikshit Luthra has signed off from CNBC-TV18, marking 28 February 2026 as his final day and closing nearly two decades with Network18 Media & Investments Limited, including eight years at the business news channel.
During his tenure, Luthra interviewed prominent business leaders and Union ministers, reporting on economic policy, corporate strategy, the automobile sector and financial markets. His coverage spanned key inflection points in India’s economic narrative.
He also led new programming formats such as Newscentre, Global Eye and Global Lens, shows that examined politics and foreign policy through an economic prism, reflecting the channel’s push towards globally linked business reporting.
In a LinkedIn post, Luthra said his final weeks were spent covering the Union Budget, the India AI Summit, India’s trade agreements with the US and EU, and the group’s flagship Rising Bharat Summit 2026. He added that he continued anchoring until his last day and briefly met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his closing assignments.
Luthra joined CNBC-TV18 in June 2018 as assistant editor, later rising to senior editor and chief of bureau, a position he held for over two years. Before that, he worked with Republic TV and CNN-News18.
He said he plans to take a short break before embarking on his next professional chapter.
