India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL) rocket carrying advanced earth observation satellite Cartosat-3 and 13 US nano satellites lifted off from the second launch pad of the rocket port on Nov 27. At about 9.28 a.m. the 44.4 metre tall, weighing 320 ton rocket blasted off from the second launch pad at the country’s rocket port. The launch was normal despite a clouded sky.
The 1,625 kg Cartosat-3 is an advanced agile satellite to obtain panchromatic and multispectral imagery with an operational life of five years. The payload has the capability of take sharp pictures with a ground resolution of 0.25 metre in Panchromatic and 1 metre ground resolution or ground sample distance (GSD) in 4 Band Multispectral modes with a swath of 16 km, asserted ISRO.
Moreover, PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with 6 solid strap-on motors). This will be the 74th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. Cartosat-3 satellite is a third generation agile advanced satellite having high resolution imaging capability. The satellite will be placed in an orbit of 509 km at an inclination of 97.5 degree, it said.
Consequently, It will also carry 13 commercial nanosatellites from United States of America as part of commercial arrangement with New Space India Limited (NSIL), Department of Space. Thus, PSLV-C47 successfully injects Cartosat 3 spacecraft into orbit, ISRO remarked on Nov 27.
Author: Trilok Singh is with CEO here.
Last Update, 10:13:25 AM IST.
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