Reportedly with this india has crossed the milestone of launching 300 foreign satellites when its rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL) puts into orbit 13 nano satellites from the US. Meanwhile all the 13 Satellites were successfully launched into orbit by 9:55 AM as per target. As the PSLV rocket on wednesday puts into orbit 13 American nano satellites then the total number of foreign satellites that india has launched will touch 310.
Furthermore the 1,625 kg Cartosat-3, India's new earth observation satellite will send sharp, clear images for urban planning, rural resource and infrastructure development, coastal land use and land cover and also for strategic/defence purposes. Perhaps the indian space agency officials said they would supply the required images for various agencies. It is for the user agency to decide on the image use.
Moreover 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 and apparently the PSLV-XL rocket standing around 44.4 metres tall and weighing about 320 tons with a one-way ticket will hurtle itself towards the skies ferrying Cartosat-3 and the American satellites. Perhaps the PSLV-XL is a four stage/engine expendable rocket powered by solid and liquid fuels alternatively.
