India successfully launches 20 satellites

India’s earth observation satellite Cartosat-2, Google-owned Terra Bella’s SkySat Gen2, and 18 other satellites were onboard the PSLV-C34. The co-passengers included satellites from the US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia as well as two satellites from Indian Universities.

ISRO launched 20 satellites, including 17 foreign payloads, using its flagship rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C34 from its Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota today. India has launched 57 foreign satellites successfully till date. Within the next 10 minutes, the remaining 19 satellites were eventually placed in the intended orbits.

Russian Federation has the unbroken record of sending up to 37 satellites into space in a single mission, while NASA stands second as it has so far managed to send 29 satellites in a single mission. With Cartosat-2 weighing 727.5kg, PSLV lifted off a total of 1,288kg in to space and began placing the satellites into orbit about 17minutes later.

Last month India successfully launched its first mini space shuttle as it joined the global race to make reusable rockets.

The successful mission was a source of huge pride in India, which beat rival China in becoming the first Asian country to reach the Red Planet.

Jayakumar said initially there was a little hesitancy in taking up 20 satellites at one go.

Cartosat-2 imagery will be used for a variety of applications, from cartography to land use, utility management, map creation, water distribution and other needs.

He also said that the scientific commodity, feels tremendously confident, encouraged and emboldened to carry out new experiment under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

These satellites include those from the US, Germany, Canada and Indonesia. Once the injection process is completed, the satellite will be brought to an operational configuration which will help in providing regular remote sensing services using Panchromatic and Multispectral camera.

ISRO scientists received a deluge of congratulatory messages from different leaders following the successful launch.

The rocket carries the highest ever number of satellites on a single Indian mission and the third highest in history.