ISRO successfully launches three satellites (PHOTOS)

Photos: ISRO successfully launches three satellites (PHOTOS)

Apr 21, 2011 11:56 AM EDT

The Indian Space Resource Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) C16, carrying the remote sensing satellite Resourcesat-2 and two auxiliary satellites, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Wednesday morning.

"The mission was a grand success," said Radhakrishnan, adding that the string of successes proved to the international community the reliability and cost effectiveness of the vehicle.

The PSLV-C16, launched at 10.12 am from the first launch pad, met all critical parameters and placed the satellites in their precise orbits, prompting the scientists to claim that the mission worked like clockwork.

PSLV-C16 launched RESOURCESAT-2, YOUTHSAT and X-SAT satellites. RESOURCESAT-2 built by ISRO - the primary satellite is an advanced remote sensing satellite weighing 1206 kg for facilitating the study and management of natural resources.

YOUTHSAT weighing 92 kg is a joint Indo-Russian satellite for stellar and atmospheric studies. X-SAT weighing 106 kg is a microsatellite for imaging applications built by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

All the three satellites are functioning "extremely well" according to Dr T. K. Alex, Director, ISRO Satellite Centre, and the solar panels have been deployed successfully.