Pranab, Ansari hail ISRO on satellite launch

President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari on Thursday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on the launch of India's seventh and final satellite in the series of navigation satellites.

In a message to ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar, the President said: "I extend my hearty congratulations to you and your entire team on the successful launch."

It "is an important landmark in our space programme, with India now joining the small group of nations having their own regional satellite navigation system.

"It demonstrates, yet again, India's growing capabilities in space launch technology. The nation is proud of this achievement," the President said.

Ansari also hailed the scientists, engineers and technicians of the ISRO.

"The flawless launch has again demonstrated India's capabilities in the space sector. I wish ISRO all the very best for the future," he said.

The PSLV-C33 carrying IRNSS-1G, India's final satellite in the series of navigation satellites of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), was launched from Sriharikota.

--IANS

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