The textbook launch of PSLV-C21 rocket from the spaceport here on Sunday is important not just because it is the 100th space mission for the Indian Space Research Organisation, but also since it reiterated the robustness of the Indian space industry. The mission’s success has brought a fresh flood of enquiries to the Isro from various countries to launch their satellites using Isro’s workhorse PSLV.
PSLV-C21, the 22nd flight in the PSLV series, soared into an overcast sky at 9.53 am, carrying the 720-kg French satellite SPOT-6 and 15-kg PROITERES developed by students and faculty of Osaka Institute of Technology. The French satellite will observe earth while the Japanese micro-sate-llite will study Kansai region of the island of Honshu. It is significant that France’s earlier SPOT satellites were launched by European Araine rocket and much thought had gone into their decision to shift SPOT-6 to Isro’s PSLV platform, demonstrating the growing faith internationally in the Indian space industry. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flew into Sriharikota on Saturday and stayed overnight at the spaceport to watch the space spectacle.
Isro chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan was visibly thrilled announcing mission’s success at the post-launch media briefing. He also spoke about the Mars Mission and the Chandrayan-2. The latter is a Indo-Russian joint venture on a GSLV launch vehicle, which would have an Indian rover and a Russian landing station. There could be some delay since there was a major review of the space programme following the recent failed mission.