BANGALORE, April 23: India's space agency placed an Italian satellite in orbit on Monday. The India-made Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) put the Agile astronomical satellite into its intended orbit about 550km above the earth 20 minutes after blast-off.

It was India's first commercial space mission and the rocket's 11th flight.

“It’s a historic moment for the entire space community: an Italian satellite being placed in precise orbit by a totally Indian-built vehicle,” Indian Space Research Organisation chief G. Madhavan Nair said on state-run TV.

“We have proven the reliability of the PSLV, its cost-effectiveness and given on-time delivery,” he added from Sriharikota spaceport in southern India.

Leaving behind a massive trail of orange and white smoke, the rocket blasted off on schedule at 3:30 pm local time (1000 GMT).

The 352kg Italian astronomical satellite will be used to gather information about the origins of the universe.

For Monday’s launch, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was charging $11 million, the Press Trust of India reported.—AFP