India’s space agency broke the record for most satellites launched in one run Wednesday.
With a single rocket, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) sent 104 satellites from seven countries into space, breaking Russia’s 2014 record of 37 satellites in one launch, reports Fox News.
“This is a great moment for each and everyone of us. Today we have created history,” ISRO mission director B. Jayakumar told reporters.
ISRO launched a 1,574-pound Cartosat-2 series satellite for earth observation purposes. The majority of the satellites sent into space aboard India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C37) were nano satellites, each weighing less than 22 pounds.
The PSLV rocket was launched into space at the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh Wednesday, reports the Wall Street Journal. All of the satellites were successfully put into orbit.
The latest mission highlights the improved capabilities of India’s low-cost space program, which the Indian government hopes can take on a greater share of the $300 billion global space industry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the launch in a series of tweets.
Congratulations to @isro for the successful launch of PSLV-C37 and CARTOSAT satellite together with 103 nano satellites!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2017
This remarkable feat by @isro is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation. India salutes our scientists.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2017
ISRO has launched 226 satellites into space. In 2014, India successfully put a probe into orbit around Mars, making India the first Asian country to reach out to the red planet.
Furthermore, India’s achievements in space have come at a much cheaper cost than those of some competitors. India is eager to eventually send astronauts into outer space.
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