This is a “global endorsement of India’s space capability”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the successful launch of an Indian rocket that carried five foreign satellites. Modi said: “Congratulations to everybody.”
“I feel specially privileged to witness this event in person,” said Modi who clapped as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C23 (PSLV-C23) – standing around 44.4 metres tall and weighing around 230 ton – tore into the bright morning skies with orange flames fiercely burning at its tail.The rocket’s main luggage is the 714 kg French earth observation satellite SPOT-7.
Piggybacking on the main luggage are the four small satellites viz: 14-kg AISAT of Germany; NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) from Canada each weighing 15 kg; and the 7-kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.
He described it as “global endorsement of India’s space capability”.
10:37 am: India’s Space programme is a perfect example of my vision of Scale, Speed and Skill: PM.
10:36 am: Can we also think of developing, a state-of-the-art, interactive, digital Space Museum: PM.
10:36 am: Technology is central to development. It touches one and all, and is an important instrument of our national progress: PM.
10:36 am: I have got to meet four generations of scientists and this is a big sign of progress: PM.
10:35 am: I was very pleased to meet our young scientists here. I admire their work and their achievements: PM.
10:35 am: India has the potential, to be the launch-service provider of the world. We must work towards this goal: PM. A
10:34 am: Continued progress in space must remain a national mission. We must keep enhancing our space capabilities: PM.
10:33 am: I also ask you, to enlarge the footprint of our satellite-based navigation system, to cover all of South Asia: PM.
10:32 am: Today, I ask our space community, to take up the challenge, of developing a SAARC satellite: PM.
10:31 am: India’s space program, is driven by a vision of service to humanity. Not by a desire of power: PM.
10:31 am: I urge Department of Space, to proactively engage with all stakeholders, to maximise use of space science in governance and development: PM.
10:30 am: Accurate advanced warning, and tracking of Cyclone Phailin, saved countless lives recently: PM.
10:29 am: Satellite communication channels, often end up being the only mode of communication: PM.
10:28 am: GIS technology has transformed policy planning, implementation. Space imaging enables modern management, conservation of water resources: PM.
10:26 am: Technology has a critical role in realising the vision of a Digital India – the power of 125 crore connected Indians: PM.
10:25 am: Such technology is fundamentally connected with the common man. As a change agent, it can empower and connect, to transform his life: PM.
10:23 am: I congratulate the scientists. This ‘Sadhna’ (penance) you have done in the lab has the power to change the lives of millions of people: PM.
10:22 am: Our space journey has come a long way from the humble beginnings: PM.
10:20 am: We are proud that our programme is indigenous. Generations of scientists have worked to make India a self-reliant space power: PM.
10:18 am: Our ancestors had conceived of ideas like ‘Shunya’ (zero) and ‘flying objects’, long before others: PM.
10:17 am: This is a global endorsement of India’s space capability: Narendra Modi.
10:15 am: I feel specially privileged to witness the launch in person: Narendra Modi.
10:13 am: PM Modi congratulates scientists for successful launch of PSLV-C23.
09:55 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds ISRO for successful launching of PSLV-C23.
09:54 am: PSLV C23 rocket carrying five satellites, including French Earth observation satellite SPOT 7, lifts off from Sriharikota.
09:53 am: PSLV-C23 is carrying five satellites from four countries – France, Germany, Canada and Singapore.
09:52 am: PSLV-C23 lifts off from Sriharikota in PM Narendra Modi’s presence.
09:45 am: Countdown for PSLV C-23 underway at Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
09:40 am: PM Narendra Modi reaches Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota to witness PSLV launch.
An Indian rocket carrying a French earth observation satellite and four other foreign satellites blasted off from the rocket port.Exactly at 9.52 am, the rocket – Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C23 (PSLV-C23) – standing around 44.4 metres tall and weighing around 230 ton tore into the bright morning skies with orange flames fiercely burning at its tail.
The rocket port is around 80 km from Chennai.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, space scientists and other invitees at Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) rocket mission control room intently watched the rocket’s upward flight with one way ticket.
This is the first space mission of the Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.The five satellites are being launched under commercial arrangements that Antrix Corporation – ISRO’s commercial arm – has entered into with the respective foreign agencies.ISRO officials are hoping that the agency’s around 20 minute crucial space mission will turn out to be a grand success.
As per the mission plan, the rocket will first spit out its heaviest and costliest luggage – SPOT-7 – around 18 minutes after the blast off.India had launched another French satellite SPOT-6 in 2012. The latest in the SPOT family of satellites is the SPOT-7.The ejection of SPOT-7 will be followed by AISAT (German), NLS7.1, NLS7.2 (both from Canada) and VELOX-1 (Singapore).Starting from 1999 India has launched 35 foreign satellites till date using its PSLV rocket. The successful launch of five satellites Monday would take the tally to 40.
India began its space journey in 1975 with the launch of Aryabhatta using a Russian rocket and till date, it has completed over 100 space missions including missions to moon and mars.
