Cartosat-3 is the latest satellite

Satellite

In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....

 of the Cartosat series of satellites from ISRO, the current generation of Indian remote sensing

Remote sensing

Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...

 satellites, which are intended to replace the IRS

Indian Remote Sensing satellite

Indian Remote Sensing satellites are a series of Earth Observation satellites, built, launched and maintained by Indian Space Research Organisation...

 series. Cartosat-1

CARTOSAT-1

Cartosat-1 is a stereoscopic Earth observation satellite in a sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite was built, launched and maintained by the Indian Space Research Organisation. Weighing around 1560 kg at launch, its applications will mainly be towards cartography in India. It was launched by...

has a resolution of 2.5 m with stereo imaging capability. Cartosat-2, launched on 10 January 2007 is a highly agile satellite with a PAN camera and has a resolution of 0.8 m, and could provide spot imaging using ‘paint-brush’ coverage for any given area of interest.

Cartosat-3 is a much more capable satellite, having a resolution of 25 cm (10"). It uses 1.2 m optics with 60% of weight removal compared to Cartosat-2. Other features include the use of adaptive optics, acousto optical devices, in-orbit focusing using MEMs and large area-light weight mirrors.

Cartosat-3 is planned to be launched on board PSLV during 2010. Potential uses include weather mapping, cartography, and strategic applications.