In a copybook launch on an overcast Sunday morning, Isro’s workhorse PSLV placed in orbit France’s SPOT 6 satellite and the Japanese spacecraft PROTIERES, some 18 minutes after a perfect lift-off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, thus completing its 100th successful launch. The 44-metre Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) took off on its 22nd flight into the overcast skies carrying the French satellite with a lift-off mass of 712 kg, the heaviest ever to be launched by India for an international client, and the 15-kg Japanese micro-spacecraft.
The successful launch was cheered by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a congregation of ministers, MP’s, officials and scientists at the mission control room at Shar Centre. “India is proud of its space scientists who have overcome immense odds to set up world-class facilities and develop advanced technologies,” Dr Singh said.