Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the successful launch of country's first dedicated satellite for astronomical research, Astrosat.
"'Well done @isro. This is one more grand accomplishment for Indian science & our scientists,'" tweeted PM Modi.
It was launched successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre today at 10 a.m.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C30 is carrying Astrosat along with six other co-passengers, one satellite each from Indonesia and Canada, and four nano-satellites from the US.
The science research mission Astrosat with five years of intended operational life would serve as a space observatory.
