Sriharikota, Sept 9: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Sunday
congratulated the scientists for the successful launch of Polar Satellite
Launch Vehicle - C21 from Satish Space Centre at Sriharikota.
“I am
delighted at having witnessed today’s launch of India’s Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle – C21, carrying two foreign satellites. On behalf of all fellow
Indians, I warmly congratulate the Department of Space and all members of the
Indian Space Research Organisation fraternity for this spectacular success. As
ISRO’s 100th space mission, today’s launch is a milestone in our nation’s space
capabilities," the Prime Minister said.
The
Prime Minister also congratulated EADS Astrium of France and Osaka Institute of
Technology of Japan for the successful launch of their satellites. The launch
of these satellites on board an Indian launch vehicle is testimony to the
commercial competitiveness of the Indian space industry and is a tribute to
Indian innovation and ingenuity, he said.
Earlier,
the Prime Minsiter was among those who witnessed the majestic rocket lift off
from the Satish Space Centre in Sriharikota. It was ISRO's 100th space mission
which started the journey in 1975 with the launch of its first satellite
'Aryabhata.'
The
PSLV-C21, whose 51-hour countdown started on Friday at 6.51 am, lifted off at
9.53 am on Sunday and injected the first satellite French SPOT-6 into an orbit
of 655 km altitude after 17minutes and 49 seconds. A few moments later, the
second satellite, the Japenese Proiteres was put in orbit. The scientists
cheered and shook hands as the mission was pronounced a success.
It was
PSLV's 21st consecutively successful flight and PSLV-C21 was India's 38th
satellite launch vehicle to lift off from Sriharikota.
- INN
(To subscribe to INN News
& Photo Service for your Website/Publications Contact:
inn.custcare@gmail.com)
