Launching 104 satellites in one go, India sets record

By Abdul Gani

GUWAHATI, India (AA) - India Wednesday successfully launched 104 satellites in a single flight, setting a world record for launching the largest number of satellites in one go, the government announced.

In its 39th flight, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) carried 96 satellites from the U.S. and one each from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Israel, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates, along with three Indian satellites, said the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

The total weight of all 104 satellites -- including India’s 714 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite -- was 1,378 kilograms, it added.

ISRO head A.S. Kiran Kumar told reporters as quoted by PTI news agency: “All 104 satellites successfully placed in orbit. My hearty congratulations to the entire ISRO team for the wonderful job they have done”.

The Cartosat-2 satellite will provide remote sensing services using its panchromatic (black and white) and multispectral (color) cameras.

According to the ISRO, the international customer satellites were launched under commercial arrangements between Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), a government of India company under the Department of Space, the commercial arm of ISRO, and the international customers.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed ISRO’s accomplishment. “Congratulations to ISRO! This remarkable feat by ISRO is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation. India salutes our scientists,” he said.