He said that it was being hailed by scientists as a new achievement in the Indian space history and is "an achievement we all should be proud of".
"It is being hailed as a result of 20 years' of hard work of ISRO scientists. Former ISRO chairman U R Rao had laid the road for this project. I appreciate all the scientists including him," he said in the party mouthpiece 'Murasoli'.
India had yesterday successfully launched its heavy-duty rocket with indigenous cryogenic engine that placed a communication satellite into the orbit.