ISRO’s PSLV-C42 launches NovaSAR and S1-4 satellites; PM Modi lauds Indian space agency’s prowess

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday launched two foreign earth observation satellites - NovaSAR and S1-4 - from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota. The PSLV-C42 launch vehicle carrying the two satellites of the UK blasted off at 10.08 PM. According to ISRO officials, it was a perfect lift-off.

Soon after the launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO and hailed it for demonstrating India’s prowess in the competitive space business.

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“Congratulations to our space scientists! ISRO successfully launched PSLV C42, putting two UK satellites in orbit, demonstrating India's prowess in the competitive space business,” Modi wrote on Twitter.

While NovaSAR would be used for forest mapping, land use and ice cover monitoring, flood and disaster monitoring, the S1-4 is intended to be used for surveying resources, environment monitoring, urban management and disaster monitoring.

Update #8

Mission accomplished!#PSLVC42 launches NovaSAR and S1-4 satellites successfully.@pmo@PIB_India @DDNational #ISROMissions pic.twitter.com/XtmwgWYlXl

— ISRO (@isro) September 16, 2018

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The launch comes almost six months after ISRO successfully placed the INRSS-1I navigation satellite in orbit on April 12.

The Indian space agency also holds the record highest number of satellites ever launched in a single mission. On February 15, ISRO had sent 104 satellites from its trusted workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C37.

ISRO launches PSLV-C42 into orbit carrying two foreign satellites, NovaSAR & S1-4, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in #AndhraPradesh. pic.twitter.com/CB1xBbPfXs

— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2018