India launches 20 satellites in record-breaking mission

By Abdul Gani

GUWAHATI, India

India has launched 20 satellites into orbit in a single mission on Wednesday, the government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) said.

In the largest mission in Indian history, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Cartosat-2 satellite for mapping the earth's surface along with 19 other satellites at from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre off India's east coast.

“My heartiest congratulations to you and your entire team. The nation is proud of this achievement which has demonstrated, yet again, India’s increasing space capabilities,” said Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

A PIB statement said that 17 of the satellites were launched for customers from other countries, the majority being from the U.S.

In 2014 India celebrated its progress in space research when it successfully launched an Indian-developed probe to orbit Mars, becoming the first Asian country to do so and the first nation to successfully launch a probe to mars on its first attempt.