The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the powerful radar imaging satellite RISAT-2BR1 (RiSAT-2BR1) at 3.25 pm. The ‘RISAT-2 BR1‘ was placed about 16 minutes after launch and the other satellites were placed in their individually designated orbits about five minutes later.

ISRO chief K.K. Sivan and other scientists congratulated each other on the installation of all 10 satellites in designated orbits. Later, Sivan from the Mission Control Center said that today is a historic day which coincidentally is the day of the 50th flight of PSLV. He said, “ISRO has carried out the historic mission. I am very happy to announce that the 50th PSLV has successfully installed ‘RISAT-2 BR1’ in an orbit of 576 km in a very precise manner.

ISRO released this information on their official Twitter handle.

K. Sivan said that “RISAT-2BR1” is a “complex” satellite, but it was built in a short time. He praised the team involved in the work. In relation to PSLV, he recalled the contributions of “extraordinary space personalities” like Dr Srinivasan, Dr Madhavan Nair, from design to form. He underlined that Nair had activated the launch vehicle. Sivan said that the carrying capacity of PSLV has increased from 860 kg to 1.9 ton.

There were over 7000 visitors who witnessed the launch of PSLVC48