CARTOSAT-3

31-03-2025

06:30 PM

1 min read

Prelims: Current Affairs & Events

CARTOSAT-3 Latest News

ISRO’s CARTOSAT-3 Images Reveal Earthquake Damage in Myanmar

Why in the News?

ISRO’s Earth observation satellite, CARTOSAT-3, captured high-resolution images of the destruction caused by the 7.7-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

Feature	Details
Resolution	Panchromatic resolution of 0.25 metres (sharpest among civil satellites).
Orbit	Placed at 509 km altitude, 97.5° inclination to the equator.
Weight	1,625 kg (more than double the mass of previous Cartosat satellites).
Advanced technologies	Includes highly agile cameras, high-speed data transmission, and an advanced computer system.
Commercial use	First commercial order from New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO.

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.

CARTOSAT-3 FAQs

Q1: What is CARTOSAT-3?
Ans: CARTOSAT-3 is an advanced Earth observation satellite launched by ISRO to provide high-resolution images for cartography, urban planning, and strategic applications.

Q2: When was CARTOSAT-3 launched, and what is its resolution?
Ans: It was launched on November 27, 2019, and has a ground resolution of 0.25 meters, making it India’s most advanced imaging satellite.

Q3: What is the main purpose of CARTOSAT-3?
Ans: It is used for mapping, disaster management, rural and urban planning, and defense applications.

Q4: Which launch vehicle was used to place CARTOSAT-3 in orbit?
Ans: PSLV-C47 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) was used to launch CARTOSAT-3 into a sun-synchronous orbit.

Source: TH