The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is all set to launch a remote sensing satellite this month. The satellite will be equipped with high-resolution camera and advanced scientific instruments. The satellite named Cartosat -2A, is slated to be launched on April 28 and will be used for urban and rural development planning. However, according to G Madhvan Nair, the chairman of ISRO, the final date will be fixed within a fort night.

 

The satellite will be launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Sriharikota space station. Cartosat- 2A will be placed at an altitude of 630 km and can also be used for intelligence gathering. The camera in Cartosat 2A is capable of providing specific spot images for cartographic and other applications. Cartoset-2 A is the 13th Indian remote sensing satellite in the polar orbit, as additional payloads for remote sensing applications.

 

The satellite also has the high agility to steer across the track up to plus or minus 45 degrees. According to an ISRO official the satellite will be of huge help to the national security as it will help to gather intelligence information. Cartosat -2A will be accompanied a Third World Satellite (TWSAT) and eight nano satellites coming from countries like Netherlands, Canada and Germany. It is identical to the mapping satellite Cartoset –2, which was launched on January 10, 2007.