India successfully launches PSLV-C14 carrying Oceansat-2 and other satellites

Sriharikota, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, Sept 23 India has successfully launched the PSLV-C14, from the Satish Dhavan space centre here at 11.51 hours on Wednesday. The rocket carried Oceansat-2 satellite and four tiny cube sat satellites of European Universities and two Rubin satellites of Germany into the space. Vice President Dr. Hamid Ansari and Andhra Pradesh Minister Mr. Mopidevi Venkata Ramana and several scients were among those who were present watching the blast off.

A At the end of the 51-hour countdown, the 44.4 meter tall four-stage PSLV-C14 blasted off from the first launch pad with ignition of the core first stage and put the satellites in orbit one after another.

Scientists cheered as ISRO's workhorse, PSLV soared majestically into clear skies at 11.51 hrs from the spaceport.

Oceansat-2, the country's 16th remote sensing satellite, will identify potential fishing zones, sea state forecasting and coastal zone studies, besides providing inputs on weather forecasting and climate studies.

All the satellites were successfully set in the orbit within the set 18 minutes of the launch.

As soon as the satellites entered the set orbit, scientists congratulated each other in ecstasy. SHAR Chairman Dr. Madhavan Nair went to the Vice President Dr. Ansari and informed him that the launch was successful. The Vice President congratulated Dr. Nair and other scientists.

President, Vice President, PM, Sonia congratulate scientists

The President Ms. Prathibha Devi Singh Patil, Vice President Dr. Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan SinghManmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Ms. Sonia GandhiSonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Mr. K. Rosaiah were among those who congratulated the scientists on the successful launch of the satellites.