In a successful launch, the nation’s space agency Isro has added another feather to its cap. The polar satellite launch vehicle in its 13th flight put into orbit ten satellites weighing a total of 820 kg in orbit. Among these were India’s remote sensing satellite Cartosat-2 A, a mini satellite and eight nanosatellites for international customers. While Russia has launched eight satellites in one mission, the total weight of payload was also much lower. Another success was also the launch with “core-alone” configuration that does away with the strap-on boosters. This was the PSLV’s third such flight. In yet another clockwork launch, the various stages ignited and separated and the vehicle reoriented itself as programmed each time a satellite was placed in orbit. It comes as a reassurance that this old workhorse has repeatedly proven its reliability and is in a state of readiness for the approaching moon mission.

Cartosat 2 A comes as an improvement on earlier remote sensing satellites in spatial resolution, agility that allows frequent imaging of specific areas, and is equipped with a camera that can take pictures in black and white. Data is expected to add to urban and rural applications that require large scale mapping. The mini-satellite is a first-timer and data from its two cameras will be available for space agencies and students. The nanosatellites variously developed by Canada, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands are more experimental by nature and to explore nanotechnology in space application.

The Indian space agency is proving to be a big contender in the international arena, trailing only behind the US, Russia, Europe and China. But in terms of cheap launches (that are almost 30 per cent lesser than global launch costs), which come with reliability, India is poised to be a big player. Early this year, the PSLV had launched Israeli satellite Tecsar earning over $15 million in revenue. The global space industry now stands at $100 billion and is expected to grow even further. Going at the present pace, India could well claim a large piece of this pie. It is a measure of the technological confidence that Isro now is eyeing moon, Mars and beyond. However, if the country is to pursue its successful efforts, there is a need to attract young talent into space science. There is scope for innovation in terms of fuel and rocket technology. A space science institute has been set up in the country but more concerted efforts will be required to sell “space” to bright minds.