Hindustan Times: Sriharikota, On Wednesday India became the second country in the world after the United States to launch a mission to study climatic and atmospheric changes in tropical regions with the success of Indo-French tropical weather satellite Megha-Tropiques on Wednesday morning from the space launch pad here at the Sastish Dhawan Space Centre.With the placing in orbit of four satellites, together weighing over 1000 kg, ISRO's tried and tested warhorse PSLV has crossed the half century mark. Since 1993, the various missions of PSLV had launched 48 big and small satellites. PSLV's only failure was in 1993 when the satellite could not reach the orbit. Within seconds of blasting off from the launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, 80 km from Chennai, the 44 meters high and 230 tonne heavy
PSLV-C18 soared with a rumbling sound and vanished into the white and grey clouds as the scientists at the ground control tracked its progress with satisfaction. Within 25 minutes of its upward journey, the rocket planted Megha Tropiques satellite followed by SRMSAT, VesselSAT and Jugnu in the orbit. The Indo French satellite Megha Tropiques would study climatic and atmospheric changes in tropical regions. It will look down at the earth from around 800 km low earth orbit and is expected to enable the met authorities predict weather more effectively. With its circular orbit inclined 20 degrees to the equator, it will enable climatic research and help scientists refine prediction models.Read Full: India joins space big league - Hindustan Times
