New Delhi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - This morning, India has successfully launched five foreign satellites into orbit, confirming it as one of the emerging powers in the aerospace market. The launch took place from Sriharikota base in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, carried on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C23.
The main satellite was manufactured in France and weighs 714 kg. The others - smaller in size ranging from 7 to 15 kg - are from Canada (2), Singapore (1) and Germany (1).
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi watched the final phase of operations from Sriharikota airbase: "Today's launch five foreign satellites is a global recognition of the expertise space of India."
To date, the PSLV rocket has successfully launched 67 satellites, 40 of them for foreign nations. In 2008, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) put 10 satellites into orbit in a single mission.
