India has launched a rocket carrying a record number of satellites from its Sriharikota space center.
The rocket lifted off early Monday. Among the 10 satellites were two Indian-built ones -- one with a high-resolution camera that will record data to be used in mapping infrastructure and natural resources.
The eight other so-called nanosatellites (very small satellites) are from foreign research institutions.
The satellites were all deployed within a few seconds of each other. The entire operation was completed in 20 minutes. The head of the Indian space agency, G. Madhaven Nair, called the mission "perfect."
Indian news reports say Russia set the previous record for number of satellites launched at once, by launching eight on one rocket about a year ago.
Washington Barta
E-Mail This Article
Print Version
