PSLV C-16 successfully launched, 3 satellites put into orbit

India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C16  successfully put into orbit the three satellites it had onboard at about 18 minutes after it had blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Srihari Kota on Wednesday.

The three satellites, including the latest remote sensing satellite Resourcesat-2 that would study and help manage natural resources along with two nano satellites, were placed in the 'Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit'. The two nano-satellites, Youthsat and X-Sat were also put in orbit at around 10:30 IST.

Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Radhakrishnan could barely keep his voice under control as he said, "PSLV-C16 Resourcesat-2 mission is successful."

This was the PSLV’s 17th successive mission after the failure of its maiden voyage in September 1993.

The launch and the subsequent placing of the three satellites in orbit around 822 KM above the earth was described as ‘text-book’.

Dr Radhakrishnan’s words were cheered by the battery of scientists at the mission control centre.

Their joy was understandable, especially after two successive GSLV mission failures last year, wthen the GSLV F06 carrying communication satellite GSAT-5P exploded mid-air less than a minute after lift-off and fell into the Bay of Bengal in December last year.

Earlier, ISRO scientists had to use the destruct command for the GSAT-5P carrying 24 C-band and 12 extended C-band transponders as it had veered from its flight path. The rocket plunged into the sea.

The 1,206 kg Resourcesat-2 with a space life of five years replaces Resourcesat-1 launched in 2003 and would provide data with enhanced multispectral and spatial coverage on natural resources. The first set of pictures from Resourcesat-2 would be available on April 28.