News India India puts into orbit five foreign satellites, PM lauds scientists

India puts into orbit five foreign satellites, PM lauds scientists

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh): An Indian rocket Monday successfully sent into orbit five satellites, an event that Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as "global endorsement of India's space capability"."I believe technology is fundamentally connected to common

This is the first space mission of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Modi.

The five satellites were launched under commercial arrangements that Antrix Corporation - ISRO's commercial arm - has entered into with the respective foreign agencies.

The around 20-minute launch mission finally turned out to be a grand success.

Around 18 minutes into the flight, the rocket first ejected its heaviest luggage - SPOT-7.

India had launched another French satellite SPOT-6 in 2012. The latest in the SPOT family of satellites is the SPOT-7.

The ejection of SPOT-7 was followed by AISAT (German), NLS7.1, NLS7.2 (both from Canada) and VELOX-1 (Singapore).

Starting from 1999, India has launched 35 foreign satellites till date using its PSLV rocket. The successful launch of five satellites Monday would take 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.

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