ISRO launches Cartosat-3, 13 US nanosatellites into space
After the Chandrayaan-2 upset in September, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Wednesday launched Cartosat-3 and 13 other US nano-satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C47 (PSLV-C47) blasted off at 9:28 am after a 26-hour countdown, which started at 7:28 am on Tuesday. Weighing 1,625kg, Cartosat-3 is a third-generation advanced satellite with high-resolution imaging capability.
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.
Watch Live: Launch of Cartosat-3 and 13 USA’s Nanosatellite by PSLV-C47 https://t.co/wvdBy25uCG
— ISRO (@isro) November 27, 2019
