Countdown on for ISRO's first ever multiple launch

The countdown for ISRO's first ever multiple launch of eight satellites in two different orbits is going on smoothly at the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikotta.

The countdown for the PSLV-C35 mission carrying Indian meteorological satellite SCATSAT-1 and seven other payloads belonging to three foreign customers and two Indian Universities began yesterday.

"Tomorrow we have a launch where PSLV is going to put satellites into two different orbits. We have our SCATSAT, which is going to be first released then after that is the launch vehicle, the fourth stage will put the remaining satellites into a lower orbit. 720 kms is the first one and around 650 is the second one. And this requires re-ignition of the fourth stage. And there will be two re-ignitions and the countdown has started yesterday," said ISRO chairman Kiran Kumar.

"So, at 9.12 in the morning tomorrow is the launch," Kumar added.

The rocket is scheduled to get ignited tomorrow morning. The foreign payloads include three from Algeria, one each from the US and Canada and two from as many Indian educational institutions.

This would be the 37th flight for the PSLV and the 15th time it will blast off in its extended version.