NEW DELHI, February 15 (Reuters) - India successfully launched 104 satellites in a single mission on Wednesday, setting what its space agency says is a world record of launching the most satellites at one go.
Of the 104, 101 are foreign satellites to serve international customers as the South Asian nation seeks a bigger share of the $300 billion global space industry.
"This is a great moment for each and everyone of us. Today we have created history," said project director B. Jayakumar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his congratulations on the launch conducted by the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) that went off smoothly and was carried live on national TV news channels.
"This remarkable feat by ISRO is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation," he said. "India salutes our scientists."
Modi is bullish on India's space programme and has repeatedly praised the efforts of scientists who three years ago pulled off a low-cost mission to send a probe to orbit Mars that succeeded at the first attempt.
ISRO's low prices attracted international customers to launch 75 satellites last year from Sriharikota in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
The launch of PSLV-C37 in a single payload, including the Cartosat-2 series and 103 co-passenger satellites, together weighed over 650 kg (1,433 lb)
Out of 101 nano satellites, 96 were from the United States and one each from Israel, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.
President congratulates ISRO for landmark launch
New Delhi, (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday hailed the ISRO for successfully putting 104 satellites into the orbit, including the country's own Cartosat-2earth observation satellite.
The President said the nation was proud of the achievement which demonstrated India's increasing space capabilities.
In a message to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar, Mukherjee said February 15 would "go down as a landmark" in India's space programme history.
"I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and your team at the ISRO on the successful launch into space of PSLV - C37, carrying a record 104 satellites," the President told Kiran Kumar.
Mukherjee also congratulated the scientists, engineers and technologists associated with the mission.
"I urge ISRO to continue to strive for the progress of our space capabilities. I wish all your future endeavours great success."
Modi congratulates ISRO for launch of 104 satellites
New Delhi, (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated ISRO for the successful launch of 104 satellites at one go and said it was a proud moment for the nation.
"Congratulations to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) for the successful launch of PSLV-C37 and Cartosat satellite together with 103 nano satellites," Modi tweeted.
"This remarkable feat by ISRO is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation. India salutes our scientists," the Prime Minister said.
The Indian rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on Wednesday morning lifted off successfully with a record 104 satellites, including the country's earth observation satellite Cartosat-2 series.
The co-passenger satellites comprise 101 nano satellites, one each from Israel, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the UAE and 96 from the US, as well as two nano satellites from India.
"Spoke to the Secretary of Department of Space and congratulated him and the entire team of scientists on (Wednesday's) exceptional achievement," Modi said.
