ISRO launches CARTOSAT-3, 13 nano satellites from Sriharikota

India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL) rocket carrying advanced earth observation satellite Cartosat-3 and 13 US nano satellites lifted off from the second launch pad of the rocket port here on Wednesday. At about 9.28 a.m. the 44.4 metre tall, weighing 320 ton rocket blasted off from the second launch pad at the country's rocket port here. The launch was normal despite a clouded sky. According to ISRO, the 1,625 kg Cartosat-3 is an advanced agile satellite to obtain panchromatic and multispectral imagery with an operational life of five years.