India ’s space programlaunched 31 satellitesinto low - Earth arena on Friday , one of which was an specially cool British orbiter that can shine down full - coloring video in never - before - seen quality .
develop by the UK - based aerospace companiesEarth - iandSurrey Satellite Technology Ltd , the CARBONITE-2 satellite weighs just 100 kilogram ( 220 pounds ) and is gird with an Ultra High Definition ( UHD ) camera , able-bodied to enamour eminent - resolution images and film two moment of video of Earth - bind objects such as motorcar and ship .
" We can pick up up to 50 frames per second which is a bunch of info , " Richard Blain , CEO of Earth - i , toldBBC News . " That allows us to stack the item-by-item image and increase our effective declaration , reach somewhere around 65 cm to 75 centimeter [ 25 to 29 inches ] . ”
This satellite is just the prototype of Earth - i ’s upcoming satellite constellation curriculum called theVivid - i. This will consist of a fleet of 15 satellites orbiting around 500 kilometer ( 310 international mile ) above Earth , which will be found in batches of five . This will allow them to have multiple satellites on the go and to revisit the same location multiple times per day . In possibility , this datum will also be capable to download within minutes of getting snapped .
“ The Vivid - i Constellation will provide capabilities we have n’t seen before including full - color video , and an assured stream of high - quality data from quad to help better both our planet and our lives on Earth , ” Josef Aschbacher , director of Earth Observation Programmes at the European Space Agency ( ESA ) , say in astatement .
The exact purpose of the constellation has n’t been divulged , although its data point is likely to be used by private companies and government institutions for an array of Earth watching activities .
The Indian Space Research Organisation isbecoming quite the masterof low-down - cost rocket launches , with Friday ’s launch being their 100th artificial satellite launching . Narendra Modi , India ’s Prime Minister , appear to be particularly proud of the milestone , tweeting : “ My heartiest praise to@isroand its scientists on the successful launch of PSLV today . This success in the New Year will play benefit of the country ’s speedy tread in blank technology to our citizens , farmers , fishermen etc . ”
He addedthat their centesimal satellite launch marks the country ’s " glorious achievement and also the undimmed future of India ’s space programme . ”
