PSLV C23 carrying French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7 and four co-passenger spacecrafts from Singapore, Canada and Germany was successfully launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, witnessed the historic moment.
The rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C23) lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 9.52 am Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says PSLV’s successful launch “fills every Indian’s heart with joy and pride.” besides congratulating scientists for the launch.
The vehicle carried five satellites of different countries and place them onto a sun-synchronous orbit.
The five satellites are:
714 kg weighing French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7,
14 kg AISAT of Germany,
NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) & NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada each weighing 15 kg
7 kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.
NLS 7.1 and NLS 7.2 are from the University of Toronto, Institute of Aerospace Studies/ Space Flight Laboratory. Canada.
Both payloads would fly in precise formation using differential GPS with centimeter-level accurate position control system.
VELOX-1 from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore is a technology demonstrator for design of image sensor, MEMS-based attitude determination and control system and inter-satellite RF link.
The satellites are being launched under commercial arrangements that Antrix Corporation, which is ISRO’s commercial arm, has entered with the respective foreign agencies.
India had launched another French satellite – the 712-kg SPOT-6 in 2012. The latest in the SPOT family of satellites is the SPOT-7.
Starting from 1999 India has launched 35 foreign satellites till date using its PSLV rocket. The successful launch of five satellites on Monday takes the tally to 40.
India began its space journey in 1975 with the launch of Aryabhatta using a Russian rocket and till date, it has completed over 100 space missions including missions to moon and mars.
