These include the country’s earth observation satellite Cartosat-2 series.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched a record 104 satellites on a single Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket from the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday morning.
The PSLV-XL variant rocket, standing 44.4 metre tall and weighing 320 tonnes, tore into the morning skies at 9.28 a.m. with a deep throated growl breaking free of the earth’s gravitational pull.
The earth observation satellite Cartosat-2 series weighs 714 kg.
The co-passenger satellites comprise 101 nano satellites, one each from Israel, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and 96 from the United States, as well as two nano satellites from India. The total weight of all the satellites carried on-board is about 1,378 kg.
By the 28th minute of the rocket’s mission all the 104 satellites would be put into orbit.
Four-stage rocket
The PSLV rocket is a four-stage/engine rocket powered by solid and liquid fuel alternatively.
“The Cartosat satellite is the fourth one in the Cartosat-2 series of earth observation satellites. Already three are in the orbit and two more will be launched. Once all the six Cartosat-2 series satellites are launched the Cartosat-3 series would begin,” an ISRO official told IANS preferring anonymity.
PM lauds launch
PTI adds:
Meanwhile, ISRO chief A.S. Kiran Kumar said at the mission control centre at Sriharikota that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the space agency team for the successful launch.
“Congratulations to @isro for the successful launch of PSLV-C37 and CARTOSAT satellite together with 103 nano satellites!,” Mr. Modi said in a tweet.
“This remarkable feat by @isro is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation. India salutes our scientists,” he said.
ISRO launches PSLV rocket with record 104 satellites 2017 Video
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