Why in the News?
- ISRO’s Earth observation satellite, CARTOSAT-3, captured high-resolution images of the destruction caused by the 7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025.
- The post-disaster imagery (March 29) was compared with pre-event data (March 18) to assess the damage in Mandalay and Sagaing.
About CARTOSAT-3
- CARTOSAT-3 is a third-generation agile advanced Earth observation satellite developed by ISRO.
- It replaces the IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) series and has high-resolution imaging capabilities.
- Launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C47).
Key Features
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Feature
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Details
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Resolution
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Panchromatic resolution of 0.25 metres (sharpest among civil satellites).
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Orbit
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Placed at 509 km altitude, 97.5° inclination to the equator.
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Weight
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1,625 kg (more than double the mass of previous Cartosat satellites).
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Advanced technologies
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Includes highly agile cameras, high-speed data transmission, and an advanced computer system.
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Commercial use
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First commercial order from New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO.
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Applications of CARTOSAT-3
- National Security & Defense:
- Military applications: Used for strategic surveillance, border security, and defense planning.
- Previous use: Cartosat-2 aided in 2016 surgical strikes across the LoC and 2015 Myanmar-Manipur operations.
- Disaster Management & Urban Planning:
- Assessing natural disasters: Earthquake, floods, and landslide monitoring.
- Urban & Rural Infrastructure Planning: Road networks, water distribution, and land-use regulation.
- Coastal Land Use & Regulation: Monitoring environmental changes along the coastline.
- Cartography & Remote Sensing:
- High-Resolution Mapping for geospatial applications.
- Detecting Natural & Man-Made Changes in geographical features.
Cartosat Satellite Series
- Cartosat-1 to 3: High-resolution Earth observation, urban and rural planning.
- RISAT Series: Radar-based imaging for cloud-penetrating surveillance.
- Oceansat Series: Monitors Ocean parameters, weather forecasting, and marine studies.
- INSAT & Megha Tropiques: Atmospheric studies and climate research.
