Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made history today by effectively launching a record 104 satellites, including India’s earth observation satellite, on one rocket from the spaceport in Sriharikota. This is the largest number of satellites ever released in a single mission.
The area firm’s trusted workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C37, on its 39th objective, removed in the early morning, at 9.28 am, today, from Sriharikota space centre with the 104 satellites, which 101 belongs to worldwide customers.
The first to be release was India’s high resolution Cartosat-2 series satellite made particularly to keep track of activities of India’s hostile neighbors at a resolution of smaller a metre keeping a bird’s eye view on Pakistan and China.
As the scientists at the Mission Control centre started to enjoy the moment, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman A S Kiran Kumar announced: “All 104 satellites effectively positioned in orbit. My hearty congratulations to the entire ISRO team for the terrific job they have done.”
“This is a significant step for India. This entire launch will last for 28 minutes … It is a 4 stage objective. The first satellite will enter the 17 th minute followed quickly by 2 nano satellites by India. Later 96 satellites will be positioned in their orbits,” stated Ajay Lele of ISRO.
The launch was carefully seen by ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar and other top scientists from the mission control centre at Sriharikota.
What is important about the launch is the amount of satellites carried by a rocket. Compared to successful launch by the Russian Space Agency launching 37 satellites in one go, India ended up being the first nation to make history by launching 104 satellites in a single rocket.
Of 101 co-passenger satellites, 96 belong to USA, five from International customers of ISRO, including Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee congratulated ISRO for the launch.
