Countdown Begins For India’s Earth Observation Satellite Cartosat-3; To Be Launched Tomorrow At 9.28 AM

The countdown for the launch of India's advanced earth observation satellite Cartosat-3 using the rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL) is progressing smoothly, said an official of the Indian space agency.

The rocket is scheduled to blast off from the second launch pad at 9.28 am. on Wednesday (27 November). The 26-hour countdown for the launch began at 7.28 AM on Tuesday (26 November).

According to ISRO, the 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, said ISRO.

The Indian space agency also said, Cartosat-3 has many new technologies/elements like highly agile structural platform, payload platform, higher rate data handling and transmission systems, advanced onboard computer and new power electronics, dual gimbal antenna and others.

To be placed in an orbit of 509 km at an inclination of 97.5 degrees, the Cartosat-3 will furnish images that cater to the demand of urban planning, rural resource and infrastructure development, coastal land use and land cover and also for strategic/defence purposes.

The Indian space agency officials used to say that they would supply the required images for various agencies. It is for the user agency to decide on the image use.

Sharing the ride with Cartosat-3 will be 13 nano satellites from the USA for an undisclosed fee to be paid to NewSpace India Ltd -- the new commercial arm of ISRO.

(With inputs from IANS)