ISRO launches Cartosat-3, 13 US nanosatellites into space

According to Business Standard, Cartosat-3 separated from PSLV-C47 seventeen minutes after lift-off and was placed in orbit.

The launch was originally scheduled for Monday, 9:28 am, however, it was delayed by two days.

Wednesday's launch is the 49th mission for the PSLV-C47 launch vehicle. According to the space agency, it is also the 74th launch vehicle mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota.

Cartosat-3 spacecraft is an advanced satellite intended to obtain high-resolution imageries identifying 25 cm objects on the ground from orbit, over 500 km away from Earth.

The satellite will be placed into a sun-synchronous orbit with a mission life of 5 years.

It will be used for large-scale urban planning, monitoring coastal land, rural resources, and infrastructure development.

Besides the Cartosat-3 satellite, the PSLV-C47 carried 12 FLOCK-4P satellites, roped in from the US through New Space India. These satellites are also intended for earth observation.

Separately, the launch vehicle carried another US nanosatellite called MESHBED, which is a communication testbed.

The 13 nanosatellites are being carried as part of an arrangement with ISRO's commercial arm New Space India Ltd (NSIL). It is ISRO's first business order.