ISRO Creates Big World Record, PSLV Takes Off With 104 Satellites

Sriharikota: Indian rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on Wednesday morning lifted off successfully with a record 104 satellites, including the country's earth observation satellite Cartosat-2 series.

The PSLV rocket is a four stage/engine rocket powered by solid and liquid fuel alternatively.Also read: 104 Satellites in One go. 10 Things About ISRO's Magnificient Century

"The Cartosat satellite is the fourth one in the Cartosat-2 series of earth observation satellites. Already three are in the orbit and two more will be launched. Once all the six Cartosat-2 series satellites are launched the Cartosat-3 series would begin," an ISRO official told IANS preferring anonymity.

As the scientists at the Mission Control centre broke into cheers, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman A S Kiran Kumar announced: "All 104 satellites

successfully placed in orbit. My hearty congratulations to the entire ISRO team for the wonderful job they have done."

In today's complex mission after the end of 28-hour countdown, the PSLV-C37 injected the 714 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite followed by ISRO's nano satellites INS-1A and INS-1B in an 505 km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

This was followed by launch of the other 101 nano satellites of overseas customers in blocks in a series of separations.

INS-1A and INS-1B will carry a total of four different payloads from Space Applications Centre (SAC) and Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems (LEOS) of ISRO for conducting various experiments, ISRO said.

Cartosat-2 series satellite, with a mission life of five years, will send images that would cater to coastal land use and regulation, road network monitoring, distribution of water, creation of land use maps among others.

The nano-satellites belonging to international customers are being launched as part of the arrangement between international customers and Antrix Corporation Ltd (ANTRIX) the commercial arm of ISRO.

Kiran Kumar also said that ISRO was enabling the MARS Orbiter Mission to survive a long eclipse duration after which it would function for at least 2-3 years unless "we encounter any more difficulties".

"Now we are targeting GSLV MkII and then Mk III...a series of launch activities planned to ensure like last year this year also we have many exciting events coming," he added.

PSLV-C37 Project Director B Jayakumar said it was a "great moment for each and everyone of us. It is confirmed all 104 satellites have been successfully deployed in the orbit.

So far ISRO has launched 226 satellites out of which 179 are from foreign nations."

Satish Dhawan Space Centre Director P Kunhi Krishnan said the launch clearly reiterated ISRO's capability in handling complex missions very professionally.

ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Director K Sivan said it was a matter of national pride that the country had launched 104 satellites in one go using PSLV.