"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
7 Jul 2017
The US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) which is affiliated with the US Department of Defence will use India’s rocket PSLV- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle- for launching its tiny satellites called ‘satlets.’
Darpa was set up in 1958 and its role is to design and develop new military technologies. Darpa’s programme manager for tactical technology, Jeremy Palmer spoke about the agency’s keen interest to use PSLV to launch its small satellites. He was addressing the Milsatcom USA conference which was held in Washington on June 29.
Satlets are modular satellites that incorporate multiple satellite functions and share data. Each satlet have a height of 10cm, an area of 20cm sq, with a mass of 7.5 kg. They have their own system for propulsion, power, altitude control and memory.
The mission involves launching 14 satlets in early 2018 from Sriharikota. The name of the mission is EXCITE which expands to Experiments for Cellular Integration Technologies.
Isro officials said that PSLV has already established itself as a proven rocket that can place satellites in low earth orbit in a precise manner. So they were not surprised when Darpa chose PSLV for this mission that aims to try out new satellite technologies that have military applications.
