Indian space agency Isro places 8 satellites into orbit, PM Modi congratulates scientists

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully placed a total of eight satellites into two different orbits on Monday, 26 September. In its longest-ever flight, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-35 installed the weather-related studies satellite SCATSAT-1 and seven other satellites into respective orbits. Interestingly, this was also PSLV's longest launch that spanned over two hours and 15 minutes.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the scientists at the space agency for their success. He posted a tweet and said, "Moment of immense joy and pride for India. Congratulations to @isro on successful launch of PSLV-C35/SCATSAT-1 and 7 co-passenger satellites. Our space scientists keep scripting history. Their innovative zeal has touched the lives of 125 crore Indians and made India proud worldwide."

According to reports, the research centre launched three satellites from India, three from Algeria, and one each from Canada and the US.

"SCATSAT-1 will be placed into a 730-km polar sun synchronous orbit (the satellite will travel from the North Pole to the South) whereas the two universities/academic institute satellites and the five foreign satellites will be placed into a 689-km polar orbit," ISRO said in advance of the launch.

"This is a challenging two-in-one mission which puts India in a unique league of nations having the capability to achieve two different orbits in a single mission," AS Kiran Kumar, Isro chairman told was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Earlier in June also, ISRO had launched 20 satellites on a single rocket, said to be the maximum number of satellites the organisation has managed to put into space on a single mission.