The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday launched a record 20 satellites including its earth observation Cartosat-2 series in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C34) was launched from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

The primary payload for the launch was Cartosat-2C, an Earth observation satellite which will provide India’s military with high-resolution optical imagery. It is the fifth spacecraft in the Cartosat series and the third dedicated to military reconnaissance.

Cartosat-2C follows the Cartosat-2A and 2B military satellites launched in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
This was India’s fourth orbital launch of the year.

Of the 19 satellites, 12 are earth imaging "Dove satellites" of USA and another American satellite. The rest are from Canada (two) and one each from Germany and Indonesia.

India’s own two academic satellites, Sathyabamasat and Swayam spacecraft were carried for Sathyabama University and the Pune College of Engineering respectively.

With a total payload mass of 1288 kg, the launch targeted a circular sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 505 kilometres and an inclination of 97.48 degrees.

 

20 satellites in a go! @isro continues to break new barriers. Hearty congratulations to our scientists on the monumental accomplishment.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2016

Saw with immense joy that students from institutions in Pune & Chennai played a role in the making of satellites. This touched me.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2016

.@isro also secretly launched the 21st Satellite. @ArvindKejriwal can now blame @narendramodi from outer space #ISRO pic.twitter.com/3ogBODvHb1

— Arvind Kejriwal (@AAPExplained) June 22, 2016

20 satellites in Single mission.Thumbs up to entire #ISRO team for devising novel engg tech. to make this possible https://t.co/6sxyFptK1R

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) June 22, 2016

A day of great pride for India as #ISRO successfully launches PSLV C-34 placing a record of 20 satellites in space. pic.twitter.com/39Dn3v2p7A

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 22, 2016

Ever wondered why almost all #ISRO scientists are from the south! Are they intellectually sharper than us -north Indians?!

— Dr. S.Y. Quraishi (@DrSYQuraishi) June 22, 2016

Earlier this year, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite, IRNSS-1G, went into geosynchronous transfer orbit on April 28 and by May 3 and has taken up its position in the geostationary orbit at 129.5 degree east.

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