India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C16 successfully launched into orbit the 3 satellites it had on board, at about 18 minutes after it had blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Srihari Kota on Wednesday.
The 3 satellites, including the latest remote sensing satellite Resourcesat-2, which will study and will help manage natural resources, along with 2 nano satellites, were placed in the "Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit". The 2 nano-satellites, Youthsat and X-Sat, were also put in orbit at around 10:30 IST.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Radhakrishnan could barely keep his voice under control as he said, "PSLV-C16 Resourcesat-2 mission is successful."
This was the PSLV's 17th successive mission after the failure of its maiden voyage in September 1993.
The launch and the subsequent placing of the 3 satellites in orbit, around 822 KM above the earth, was described as "text-book".
Dr. Radhakrishnan's words were cheered by the battery of scientists at the mission control centre.
The 1,206 kgs Resourcesat-2, which has a space life of 5 years, replaces the Resourcesat-1 launched in 2003, and will provide data with enhanced multispectral and spatial coverage on natural resources. The first set of pictures from the Resourcesat-2 will be available on April 28. (INN)