ISRO launches 10 satellites in one go

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday simultaneously launched 10 satellites into Earth’s orbit with a record 824-kg payload from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

The spectacular launch has helped India set a new world record, placing the country in the lead of not only Russia and Europe, but also US, none of whom have ever put that many satellites into flight in one tremendous heave.

India sent up a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) carrying a C9 Cartosat 2A, Indian Mini Satellite (IMS), and eight foreign nano satellites.

C9 Cartosat 2A (690 kg) clicks close up high-resolution photographs of India and adjoining regions.

Indian Mini Satellite (83 kg) is a remote sensing satellite too, but much cheaper and much more compact.

NanoTech Satellites (50 kg), made by Germany, Canada, Japan and Netherlands, a total of eight nano satellites were also sent up by ISRO — a service for which ISRO charged $ 60,000.

The data from the two Indians satellites is now being offered to our neighbours.

The PSLV can easily punch 1500 kg of payload into space. Very soon, it will also send up India's first ever mission to the moon.

“Chandrayan, our first mission to moon, will instrument a payload, which will circle the moon for almost two years. It will also try to map the eastern terrains as well as the Bengals. The preparations for this launch are going on. We hope by the third quarter of this year, it will be taking off,” said ISRO Chairman Madhavan Nair.

While Monday's display of space prowess will grab world attention, ISRO is not yet a major power in the commercial launch market.

Communication satellites that power TVs, cell phones and the web typically weigh between two to eight tonnes.

Those satellites need the more powerful GSLV rocket to ride on. While that's already flown earlier, a few glitches are still being smoothened out.

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