ISRO Launches Indian Civil And Military Earth Observation Satellite

New Delhi (Sputnik) Nov 27, 2019

“PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with 6 solid strap-on motors). Cartosat-3 is the ninth satellite of Cartosat series. This will be the fifth launch of 2019,” the ISRO said.

India has successfully launched Cartosat-3 and 13 additional small satellites using the nation’s polar launch vehicle. Cartosat-3 is an advanced satellite having a resolution of 25 cm which enables it to identify two objects separated by a distance of 25 cm.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief Kailasavadivoo Sivan earlier offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh. Sivan visited the shrine which is 60 miles from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, the rocket launch site.

The launch was scheduled for 0928 Hrs local time on Wednesday. ISRO had earlier postponed the launch of Cartosat-3 for two days without giving any specific reason.

The rocket launched the 1,625 kg Cartosat-3 satellite and 13 commercial nanosatellites from the US related to earth observation, and communication testing. Cartosat-3 is a third generation satellite with high resolution imaging capabilities and will be placed in an operational orbit of 509 km (316 miles) at an inclination of 97.5 degree.

“PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with 6 solid strap-on motors). Cartosat-3 is the ninth satellite of Cartosat series. This was the fifth launch of 2019,” the ISRO said.

Cartosat series satellites were employed in 2016 when the Indian Army carried out a cross border strike along the line of control by providing ‘Area of Interest’ based images.

Cartosat-3 has a wider spatial range (approximately 16 km), multi-spectral and hyperspectral (captures light from across the electromagnetic spectrum) capabilities, which can assist in locating enemy hideouts and terror hubs.

Source: RIA Novosti

Courtesy: Space Daily