Joining an elite group of nations, India on Monday successfully launched its first space research observatory ASTROSAT that will help in a detailed understanding of the universe and also put into orbit six foreign satellites including the first from the US.
Taking another major step in its ambitious and low-cost space programme, ISRO’s trusted workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in its 31st flight, injected ASTROSAT and the six co-passengers into orbit about 25 minutes after a perfect lift-off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here.
Launched in its maiden attempt, ASTROSAT, which includes a telescope that uses x-ray, has been dubbed as a mini-Hubble telescope launched by US’ NASA in 1990 and a one-stop shop for studying astronomical sources. So far, only the US, Japan, Russia and Europe have launched a space observatory.
“Well done @isro. This is one more grand accomplishment for Indian science & our scientists,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is now on a visit to the US, said in a tweet.
Declaring the launch successful amid cheers from the assembled scientists, a beaming ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar said PSLV had put in an astronomy mission which is being looked at not only within the country but also globally to bring in new information to scientific community.