PSLV-C16 successfully launches Resourcesat-2 into orbit from Sriharikota

PSLV-C 16 launched from Sriharikota

PSLV-C16 successfully launches Resourcesat-2 into orbit

India's PSLV-C16 rocket on April 20 ,2011, successfully launched into orbit the latest remote sensing satellite Resourcesat-2 that would study and help manage natural resources along with two nano satellites.

ISRO's homegrown workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle placed in a 'Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit' Resourcesat-2, Youthsat and X-Sat about 18 minutes after it blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre launch pad here, 90 km from Chennai, at 10.12 am.

"PSLV-C16 Resourcesat-2 mission is successful," a jubilant Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Radhakrishnan announced shortly after all the three satellites were hurled into space one after another 822 km above earth in a text book launch.

The ISRO chief's announcement was cheered by the battery of scientists at the mission control centre who heaved a sigh of relief as they were gripped by an added anxiety following two successive failures of GSLV missions last year.

ISRO`s workhorse PSLV has an impressive track record of 16 successful missions out of 17 attempts and has launched 44 satellites, including 25 payloads from abroad, since 1994. The launch vehicle will place in polar sun synchronous orbit the 1206-kg Resourcesat-2, 92-kg Youthsat and 106-kg X-sat satellites 822 km above Earth.

The mission``s primary satellite, ISRO built Resourcesat-2, is an advanced remote sensing spacecraft to facilitate study and management of natural resources. It will replace Resourcesat-1 launched in 2003 and provide data with enhanced multi-spectral and spatial coverage on natural resources.