Cartosat-3 Launch On Nov 25, ISRO's Eye In Space To Keep Watch On India's Borders, Infiltration

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch Cartosat-3 and two other satellites as India will boost its border security through these "eyes in the sky".  ISRO will launch these three surveillance satellites in phases in November and December. The cartography satellite Cartosat-3 will be launched into the sun-synchronous orbit 13 commercial nanosatellites into on November 25, the Indian space agency said on Monday. The other two earth observation satellites are set to be sent into space in December, according to a report in Times of India. These satellites are the next versions of the Risat series - whose images were earlier used to launch surgical strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Cartosat-3 satellite is a third-generation agile advanced satellite having high-resolution imaging capability. It has a powerful resolution of 0.25 metre or 25 cm.  It can distinguish between two objects who are just 25cm apart from each other. This is one of the most advanced satellite launched in terms of powerful resolution. It will help the military zoom in on enemy hideouts and terror hubs from the space.

The satellite will be placed in an orbit of 509 km at an inclination of 97.5 degrees. According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), its rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL variant (PSLV-XL) will put into orbit Cartosat-3 on November 25. 

"India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47 will launch Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites iinto Sun Synchronous orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch is tentatively scheduled at 0928 Hrs IST on November 25, 2019, subject to weather conditions. 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," ISRO said.

The same launch will also take 13 commercial nanosatellites in space. According to ISRO, the 13 nanosatellites from US is a part of the commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the new company that was set up recently under the Department of Space.

According to TOI, ISRO is expected to launch the other surveillance satellite, Risat-2BR1 and Risat-2BR2, from Sriharikota in December.  They will be launched using PSLVC48 and C49 rockets. ISRO has already launched surveillance satellite Risat-2B on May 22 and EMISAT on April 1.

According to the report, Risat-2BR1 and Risat-2BR2 have the capability to see through clouds and take images at night. They will also help keep an eye on border infiltration and terror activities.