India sends mapping satellite into space

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - India on Wednesday successfully launched several satellites into space, its space agency said.

According to Indian Space Research Organization, India sent into orbit its earth imaging and mapping satellite CARTOSAT-3 along with 13 commercial nano-satellites from the U.S., Press Trust of India reported.

The launch of the nano-satellites comes after India’s lunar exploration mission -- Chandrayaan 2 -- crashed before it could land earlier this year.

A 44.4-meter-tall PSLV C47 rocket lifted off at 9:28 a.m. (0358GMT) from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh province of India.

CARTOSAT-3 is ninth in the series of such satellites.

“CARTOSAT-3 was placed into orbit 17 minutes and 46 seconds after lift-off,” the report said.

The nano-satellites were released into orbit at 26 minutes and 56 seconds after liftoff, it added.