Scaling new heights is what seems to be the motto of India Space Research Organization. Today at 09:12 AM, the PSLV rocket carrying 8 satellite lifted off from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The rocket is carrying three satellites from India & Algeria each. One satellite each from Canada and the US.
What makes this mission interesting and challenging is the fact that the PSLV will deploy satellites in two different orbits. It was only European Space Agency's Vega rocket till now that accomplished the twin-orbit satellite deployment.
The rocket carries SCATSAT or Scatterometer Satellite which is primarily used for weather forecasting and cyclone detection and tracking.
Another satellite on board is a 10kg satellite made by students of the IIT Bombay called Pratham. This satellite is designed to study the total electron count in space. Another satellite on board is a 5.25kg PISAT developed by the students of PES University from Bengaluru. This satellite will take pictures of earth.
In the total time span of 135 minutes, this is the long mission for the space organization. The mission will also test PSLV's multiple burn capability which will be utilized in the last leg and will set a new milestone for ISRO.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the success of ISRO:
Our space scientists keep scripting history. Their innovative zeal has touched the lives of 125 crore Indians & made India proud worldwide.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 26, 2016
Moment of immense joy & pride for India. Congratulations to @isro on successful launch of PSLV-C35/SCATSAT-1 & 7 co-passenger satellites.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 26, 2016
Image Credit: smilesofindia.com