PSLV C-34 rocket lifted off at 9.25 a.m. from the Second Launch Pad in the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Here are the top 10 facts to know.
- Third in line after Russia and US, India launched 20 satellites through a single rocket.
- Till date, only Russia and US have launched multiple satellites at one go. Russia being the highest, having launched 37 satellites, followed by US which has launched 30 satellites.
- The total weight of all the 20 satellites carried onboard PSLV-C34 is about 1288 kg.
- The 727.5 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite will provide regular remote sensing services with its panchromatic and multispectral cameras and its imagery will be of multiple use.
- Of the 19-satellites, 12 are earth imaging "Dove satellites" of USA and another American satellite. The rest are from Canada (two) and one each from Germany and Indonesia.
- Two academic satellites are from Sathyabama University (Sathyabamasat) in Chennai and from College of Engineering (Swayam) at Pune.
- With today's launch of 20 satellites, PSLV beat its 2008 record when it placed in orbit 10 satellites in a single launch into various Low Earth Orbits.
- Till date, India has launched 57 foreign satellites from about 20 countries, earning about $100 million.
- This is the 14th flight of PSLV in "XL" configuration known for its capacity to carry more load which uses 'solid strap-on motors'.
- India has 11 operational earth observation satellites, including RESOURCESAT-1 and 2, CARTOSAT-1, 2, 2A, 2B, RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2 are in orbit.
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