
TOKYO -- Japanese imaging and optical product maker Canon is awaiting the launch of a rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, southeastern India, scheduled for June 23 that will put microsatellites made by companies around the world into space, including its CE-SAT-I.

The CE-SAT-I was assembled by Canon Electronics, a Canon subsidiary making parts for digital cameras and other electronic products, under the initiative of its president, Hisashi Sakamaki, who is keen to get into the space business. The blastoff will mark the first step toward Sakamaki's ambitious plan to launch 100 microsatellites per year.