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PSLV-C4 successfully launched

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C4, carrying the 1060 kg METSAT -- India's first dedicated meteorological satellite -- soared into the azure sky at 1557 hours (IST) on Thursday, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre from Sriharikota.

Carrying for the first time a 1000-kg plus payload, PSLV-C4, an improved version of India's workhorse PSLV, injected the METSAT into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit 21 minutes after lift-off.

"The launch and the injection of the satellite into the GTO (1618 hours IST) has taken place in clock-wise precision," ISRO officials said.

In this orbit, the satellite will travel in an oval path of 250 kms perigee [closest point to the earth] and 36,000 kms apogee [farthest point to the earth].

The 44.4 metres tall rocket weighs 295 tonnes.

As the rocket leapt skyward, a team of scientists who had toiled hard to make the mission a success, congratulated each other and shook hands.

Hundreds of ISRO employees and scores of reporters witnessed the perfect blast off from the rooftops of the space centre complex.

Scores of scientists will closely monitor the critical progression of the launch vehicle at the mission control centre.

Once commissioned, the METSAT is expected to improve the meteorological services now being provided by the INSAT systems.

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