India’s spy sat to track infiltrators

BANGALORE: India will launch a spy satellite from Sriharikota on April 20 primarily to keep an eye on its borders round-theclock and help the government in anti-infiltration and anti-terrorist operations.

The 300-kg radar-imaging satellite has been built by Israel and is set to blast-off on board India���s home-grown rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). This remote-sensing advanced imaging satellite, to be positioned 550km above earth, has all-weather capabilities.

It carries Synthetic Aperture Radar payload, which can take images during day, night and all weather conditions including under cloud cover, a capability that Indian satellites do not have. Given the sensitiveness of the venture, the Isro is tightlipped over the mission, not giving out much details. A Isro official said that the significance of the satellite is its all-weather capability.

���It will be primarily used for defence and surveillance. The satellite also has good application in the area of disaster management and in managing cyclones, floods and agriculture-related activities,��� he said. AGENCIES

EYE IN SKY

300-kg radar-imaging satellite built by Israel

It will blast-off on April 20 aboard the PSLV

Satellite to be positioned 550km above Earth

Radar can take images during night and under cloud cover too