[Satellite TODAY 05-16-11] The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will launch an image-capturing satellite for France next year, Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) Director Parivakkam Veeraraghavan announced May 13.

            ISRO will launch France’s Spot 6 satellite on either the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rockets. Spot 6 aims to provide continuous high-definition images of Earth after the Spot 5 satellite is withdrawn from its mission and de-orbited at the end of 2013.

“Because of our cost-effective technology, many developed nations, including France and the United States, are willing to launch their satellites with our system. Our reusable spacecraft would minimize launching costs by 90 percent. We have set 2030 as deadline to reach this goal,” Veeraraghavan said.

             ISRO five-year launch plan includes: Astrosat, a low-cost version of the Hubble Telescope; one GPS navigation satellite; and a commercial data services satellite.