India launches missiles with 5 foreign satellites

On the morning of June 30, the Indian Space Agency (ISRO) successfully launched PSLV-C23 boosters carrying 5 foreign satellites. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed and appreciated the event.

According to Zee News, PSLV-C23 missiles were launched from Satish Dhawan space airport in Sriharikota at 9:52 am (local time). The heaviest 'luggage' that the rocket carries is the French SPOT-7 earth observation satellite, weighing 714kg.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tracks the June 30 morning launch of PSLV-C23 - (Photo: India Today)

The remaining satellites include German AISAT, weighing 14kg; NLS7. 1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada, each satellite weighs 15kg and Singapore's VELOX-1, weighs 7kg.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi - who witnessed the rocket launch, congratulated the scientists, saying it was "a global endorsement of India's space capabilities".

'India has the potential to be a satellite launch service provider in the world. We must work towards this goal , 'he told Indian scientists, while emphasizing 'continuous progress in the field of space is still a national task'. "We must continue to strengthen our spatial capabilities , " he said.

Former ISRO Madhvan Nair director also said the successful launch of PSLV-C23 proves that India's rocket is "one of the most reliable boosters in the world".

India began participating in the space race in 1975 with the launch of Aryabhatta satellite with a Russian rocket. To date, the country has completed more than 100 space missions, including missions to the Moon and Mars.