India launches record 20 satellites in single mission

Published June 22, 2016
ISRO satellite is launched. — AFP
ISRO satellite is launched. — AFP

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday successfully launched a rocket carrying a record 20 satellites as its famously frugal space agency looks to grab a larger slice of the lucrative commercial space market.

Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) CARTOSAT-2, along with 20 satellites from India, US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C34), is launched. — AFP
Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) CARTOSAT-2, along with 20 satellites from India, US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C34), is launched. — AFP

The rocket blasted off from the southern spaceport of Sriharikota carrying satellites from the US, Germany, Canada and Indonesia, the most in a single Indian mission.

Most of the satellites will enter orbit to observe and measure the Earth's atmosphere, while another aims to provide service for amateur radio operators.

"Each of these small objects that you are putting into space will carry out their own activity, which is independent of the other, and each of them will live a wonderful life for a finite period," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar told the NDTV news network.

See: Pakistan's first satellite launched successfully

The business of putting commercial satellites into space for a fee is growing as phone, Internet and other companies as well as countries seek greater and more high-tech communications.

India is competing with other international players for a greater share of that launch market, and is known for its low-cost space programme.

Among the 20 satellites launched on Wednesday were 13 from the US, including one from a Google-owned company and two from Indian universities.

The highest number of satellites launched in a single mission is 37, a record that Russia set in 2014. The US space agency Nasa launched 29.

Kiran Kumar Rao, ISRO chairman, gestures as he addresses the media after the satellite launch at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. — AFP
Kiran Kumar Rao, ISRO chairman, gestures as he addresses the media after the satellite launch at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. — AFP

See: India launches biggest ever rocket into space

Indian government officials and scientists were present at the launch facility in the Andhra Pradesh state as the rocket carrying the 20 satellites took off, reported the BBC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the 20-satellite record as a "monumental accomplishment."

"Our space programme has time and again shown the transformative potential of science & technology in people's lives," Modi tweeted.

Last month India successfully launched its first mini space shuttle as it joined the global race to make reusable rockets.

See: India's positioning satellite aims to serve South Asia

The shuttle was reportedly developed on a budget of just one billion rupees ($14 million), a fraction of the billions of dollars spent by other nations' space programmes.

Bystanders watch as the ISRO satellite is launched. ─ AFP
Bystanders watch as the ISRO satellite is launched. ─ AFP

India in 2013 sent an unmanned rocket to orbit Mars at a cost of just $73 million, compared with NASA's Maven Mars mission which had a $671 million price tag.

The successful mission was a source of immense pride in India, which beat rival China in becoming the first Asian country to reach the Red Planet.

Modi has often hailed India's budget space technology, quipping in 2014 that a local rocket that launched four foreign satellites into orbit had cost less to make than Hollywood film Gravity.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.