[4] Improved features compared to its predecessor (IRS-1A): gyroscope referencing for better orientation sensing, time tagged commanding facility for more flexibility in camera operation and line count information for better data product generation.

The three-axis stabilised Sun-synchronous satellite had a 0.4° pitch/roll and 0.5° yaw pointing accuracy provided by a zero-momentum reaction wheel system utilising Earth/Sun/star sensors and gyroscopes.

[4] IRS-1B carried two solid state push broom scanner Linear Imaging Self-Scanning Sensor (LISS): The satellite carried two LISS push broom CCD sensors operating in four spectral bands compatible with Landsat Thematic Mapper and Spot HRV data.

The LISS-1 sensor had four 2048-element CCD imagers with a focal length of 162.2 cm (63.9 in) generating a resolution of 72 m (236 ft) and a 148 km (92 mi) swath width.

The LISS-2 sensor had eight 2048-element CCD imagers with a focal length of 324.4 mm (12.77 in) generating a ground resolution of 36 m (118 ft) and a 74 km (46 mi) swath width.