Marking a milestone, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described as “global endorsement of India’s space capabilities,” the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C-23, which carried five foreign satellites from France, Germany, Canada and Singapore.
The PSLV C-23 lifted off at 9:52 AM (IST) on June 30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, 100 km north of Chennai. French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7, weighing 714 kg, constitutes the main luggage in the rocket. Other small satellites include Germany’s 14 Kg AISAT, 7kg VELOX-1 of Singapore and the NLS 7.1 (CAN-X4) NLS 7.2 (CAN-X5) from Canada having a combined weight of 30 kg. The PSLV C-23 weighs 230 ton.
The satellites were launched under a commercial arrangement struck by the ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix Corporation with the foreign agencies of these satellites. This is the first space mission under the Modi- led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
Former ISRO Chairman G. Madhavan Nair said that the PSLV C23 launch will be a major stepping stone towards centering space commerce.
With the launch of Aryabhatta in 1975, India started its space journey and has completed over 100 space missions, which includes the mission to Moon and Mars. ISRO is one of the primary government space agencies in the world, with a budget $1.1 billion (2013-14).
The Indian Space programme was started in 1962. The ISRO was set up in 1969 with the vision of rapid development and progress in space technology and its application. The Indian space programme has made rapid development through a well-integrated and self-reliant programme. The programme’s key objectives include mass communication and education with the help of satellites, survey management of natural resources through remote sensing technology, environmental monitoring and meteorological forecasting and development of indigenous satellites and satellite launch vehicles.
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
Latest entries
DiplomacyDecember 14, 2024India, Iran and Armenia Advance Connectivity Push with Trilateral Talks in New Delhi- DiplomacyDecember 13, 2024Brazil’s G20 Presidency will focus on tangible results on UNSC reforms, climate action
- DiplomacyDecember 6, 2024India and Vietnam Strengthen Security Ties at 3rd Deputy Ministerial-Level Dialogue
- India and the WorldDecember 6, 2024India and UK Revitalize Strategic Ties at 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi
