Chennai: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has been launched from the spaceport of Sriharikota. The PSLV-C23, which is carrying five foreign satellites, was launched on 9:52 am in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM congratulated space scientists and Department of Space for the successful launch of the PSLV. “The story of our Mars Mission costing less that the Hollywood movie Gravity is big thing in itself. The successful launch of PSLV C-23 makes every Indian proud,” said the PM. ALSO READ: Govt committed to give further impetus to space programme: Modi He said the successful launch of the sattelite is a global endorsement of India’s space capability. “Our scientists have shown the world a new paradigm in space technology. It’s a global endorsement of India’s space capability,” he said.
Modi had landed here on Sunday to witness the launch. Reportedly, ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan briefed him about India’s launch mission. The five satellites are from four countries – France, Germany, Canada and Singapore. ISRO has so far launched 35 satellites from 19 countries like Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada and more. PSLVC-23 launch is being said to be a major stepping stone towards centering space commerce. “PSLVC-23 launch will be a major stepping stone towards centering space commerce,” said former ISRO chairman Madhvan Nair.
Earlier, the launch was scheduled at 9:49 am but due to the probability of space debris movement the launch was scheduled three minutes late. The rocket’s main luggage is the 714 kg French earth observation satellite SPOT-7.
Narasimhan, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, space scientists and other invitees at Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) rocket mission control room intently watched the rocket’s upward flight with one way ticket. This is the first space mission of the Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The five satellites are being launched under commercial arrangements that Antrix Corporation – ISRO’s commercial arm – has entered into with the respective foreign agencies. ISRO officials are hoping that the agency’s around 20 minute crucial space mission will turn out to be a grand success. As per the mission plan, the rocket will first spit out its heaviest and costliest luggage – SPOT-7 – around 18 minutes after the blast off. India had launched another French satellite SPOT-6 in 2012. The latest in the SPOT family of satellites is the SPOT-7. The ejection of SPOT-7 will be followed by AISAT (German), NLS7.1, NLS7.2 (both from Canada) and VELOX-1 (Singapore). Starting from 1999 India has launched 35 foreign satellites till date using its PSLV rocket. The successful launch of five satellites Monday would take the tally to 40.
