India Launches 20 Satellites in Single Mission

India has effectively launched twenty satellites in a solo mission. It is the maximum number of satellites spent by India under its determined space program.

They comprise of satellites belonging to Indonesia, Germany, Canada and the United States. The launch initiated from Sriharikota space Centre off country’s eastern coast. Observers are of the view that India is developing as a key player in the space market of multi-billion dollar.

Russia is the country holding the highest record of satellites launched in a single mission with 37 satellites. These satellites were launched in. NASA, The United States space agency, sent 29.

As Indian government ministers and scientists kept a close watch, the rocket transporting 20 satellites took off from the launch facility located in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The freight comprises of devices varying in weight from 1.5kg to 700kg and above.

They comprise of an Indian cartographic satellite along with those belonging to international customers and universities of the country – 13 satellites were from the United States, including 1 prepared by a company owned by Google.

Sanjoy Majumder from BBC says in Delhi it is a noteworthy achievement by space program of India which has claimed numerous achievements including launching probes to Mars and Moon.

Launching numerous satellites in a solo mission allows a country to reduce its cost and India has been putting itself as a main player in the well-paid international space market as a low cost and effective operator.

Kiran Kumar, the chairman of the state-controlled Indian Space Research Organization told a private news channel that sending 20 satellites in one mission was like permitting birds to fly in space.

Ahead of the launch he said that each of those small objects which they were putting into space would conduct their own operation, independent of the other, and every one of them would live a great life for the fixed period for which they had been designed.