Textbook precision launch through PSLVC7: ISRO's new milestone

Sriharikota, Jan 10 (UNI) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today reached a new milestone when PSLV-C7 successfully launched the maiden Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE), a recoverable satellite as the first step to develop reusable launch vehicles, and three other satellites.

A galaxy of ISRO scientists, led by its Chairman G Madhavan Nair and his predecessor K Kasturirangan, broke into applause when the multi-mission PSLV-C7, successfuly injected SRE, CARTOSAT, India's IRS series satellite and two other foreign satellites into the intended Polar Sun Synchronous orbit.

This was preceded by a text book precision take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here.

Launched in the backdrop of the debacle of GSLV-FO2 debacle in July, scientists waited with bated breath as the PSLV-C7, ISRO's reliable workhorse, lifted off from the spaceport at 0923 hrs and placed all the four satellites into the orbit after a flawless flight.

With the successful mission, India joined an elite class of countries possessing SRE technology--the United States, Russia and China.

''It's a great day for our country..we have done it precisely six months after the failure of GSLV-FO2, on this day in July last year,'' a jubilant ISRO Chief G Madhavan Nair said, addressing a post-launch press conference. ''Our team has won back the confidence of the nation,'' he said.

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