In recent news, the Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO, launched Cartosat-3 along with 13 commercial nanosatellites. The launch initiated from Satish Dhawan Space Centre located in Sriharikota. Cartosat-3, an earth-observation remote sensing satellite, is set to take the place of the Indian Remote Sensing series (IRS). This launch marks ISRO’s ninth Cartosat since their initial launch back in 2005.
Remote Sensing: A Gist
Remote sensing allows scientists to gather information about objects or particular areas from a distance, typically utilizing aircraft or satellites. The 13 commercial nanosatellites launched with Cartosat-3 stem from the USA, marking the first commercial order for New Space India Limited. This newly formed commercial arm of ISRO was established in March 2019.
Key Characteristics of Cartosat-3
Cartosat-3, a third-generation advanced earth observation satellite, was conveyed by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47. This vehicle is an indigenously-developed expendable launch system by ISRO. This satellite boasts of the ‘sharpest eye’ among civil remote sensing satellites worldwide.
The following HTML table exhibits significant facts about the Cartosat-3:
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Resolution | One of the cameras of Cartosat-3 offers a ground resolution of 25 cm. |
| Weight | Cartosat-3 weighs 1,625 kg, making it unusually heavy and over double the mass of its predecessors. |
| Orbit | PSLV is set to place Cartosat 3 in a 509 km orbit. |
| Inclination | It has been placed at 97.5 degrees to the Earth’s equator. |
Technological Advancements and Applications
Cartosat-3 is packed with new technologies like a highly agile camera, high-speed data transmission, an advanced computer system, etc. However, the use of data from most Cartosat satellites is limited to the armed forces due to existing policies.
Cartosat Satellites: An Overview
The Cartosat satellites are essentially earth observation satellites. Their primary function is large-scale mapping of the Earth using high-resolution cameras. They are employed to detect changes in natural geographical or man-made features as their cameras can ‘look back and forth’ in an angle to generate continuous spot images.
Other earth-observation satellites include the Resourcesat and RISAT series and the Oceansat series. Each satellite serves diverse roles within the realm of earth observation, whether it’s land and water resources applications or producing data on the oceans or studying the atmosphere.