ISRO record launch: PM Modi lauds Indian scientists for 'monumental accomplishment'

With the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scripting history by launching 20 satellites in a go, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded Indian scientists for the 'monumental accomplishment', saying that ISRO continues to break new barriers.

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said that India' space programme has shown the transformative potential of science and technology in people's lives.

"Over the years we developed expertise & capability to help other nations in their space initiatives. This is the skill of our scientists," he said.

Asserting that he felt immense joy when he saw students from institutions in Pune and Chennai playing a role in the making of satellites, the Prime Minister said he was touched by this development.

"As a common citizen, was totally immersed in happiness to see our youngsters excelling & taking so much interest in science. Witnessed with immense pride and delight the brilliant moments on TV & took photos for my Instagram account," he added.

ISRO launched 20 satellites, including 17 foreign payloads, using its flagship rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C34 from its Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota today.

The launched vehicle lifts off with India's Cartosat 2 series satellite meant for earth observations as the primary payload and 19 other micro and nano satellites.

Making two unique records, ISRO launched an unprecedented 20 payloads in a single mission from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

The mission lasted for 26 and a half minutes by which time all satellites were put into a polar synchronous orbit of 505 km height one by one.

Later, the fourth stage engine of the rocket is going to be subjected to a complex experiment by re-igniting it twice to check for its ability to launch many satellites at different heights in a single mission.