To keep vigil along its international border and to keep a check on infiltration round the clock, India is going to have an eye in the sky. For this, India is launching an Israeli-made spy satellite aboard the PSLV C12 from Sriharikota launch pad in about two weeks time. The launch has been scheduled for April 20. It is considered to be an important mission, keeping in mind the current heightened tension and terrorist strikes that has hit the country hard in recent times.

 

The 300-kg satellite has been designed by The Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI). The spy satellite will be accompanied by a tiny satellite Anusat, designed and built by students of the Anna University. IAI's spy satellite has been equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, which gives it an "all weather capability" i.e. making it capable of taking images, irrespective of cloud cover, weather conditions or even if its day or night. The satellite will be positioned about 550km above the Earth.

 

India is also developing its own satellite with SAR capabilities. But it will weigh 1200 kg,  much heavier as compared to its Israeli counterpart. Back in January 2008, India had launched another Israeli-made satellite, the TecSAR that seems to have impressed Indian officials forcing them to go for this second Israeli collaboration.