ISRO launches PSLV-C47: Know all about India’s earth observation satellite Cartosat-3

ISRO launched Cartosat-3 satellite along with 13 commercial nanosatellites from the US at 9:28 am IST on November 27, 2019.

The PSLV-C47 lifted off carrying fourteen satellites on 27 November at 9.28 am IST from ISRO’s launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. It was first scheduled to launch on 25 November but it was postponed for reasons unknown.

Here are a few facts to know about PSLV-C47 and Cartosat-3 launch

1. PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with 6 solid strap-on motors).
2. This will be the 74th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.
3. Cartosat-3 was originally planned to be launched on-board PSLV in 2014.
4. Cartosat 3 is an earth observation satellite with a mass of 1,625 kg.
5. It is an advanced satellite, built and developed by ISRO, to replace the IRS series.
6. The satellite uses 1.2 m optics with 60 percent of weight removal in comparison to Cartosat-2.
7. The other features of the satellite include use of adaptive optics, acousto optical devices and in-orbit focusing using MEMs.
8. The satellite also has large area-light weight mirrors and advanced sense with a high-quality resolution.
9. Previously, the Cartosat-2 second generation series offered the best resolution of 65 cm from Isro.
10. The last of Cartosat-2 Series satellite weighing 710kg was launched by PSLV-C40 last January 2018.