Mangaluru: The Indian Space & Research Organisation (ISRO) launched three satellites into orbit with its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C52) mission from rocket port in Andhra Pradesh on Monday February 14.
At 5.59 am, the PSLV rocket carrying the 1,710 kg EOS-04 (formerly RISAT-1A) primary passenger and two small satellites INSPIREsat-1 and INS-2TD as co-passengers were launched from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota.
The PSLV-C52 rocket, which is 44.4 metres tall and weighs 321 tonnes, steadily moved into the sky, trailed by a thick orange flame.
EOS-04 is a Radar Imaging Satellite that is designed to give high-quality images in all types of weather. Agriculture, forestry, and plantations, as well as soil moisture and hydrology, and flood mapping, can all benefit from the photos.
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CONGRATULATIONS #ISRO!#ISRO successfully launches #PSLVC52 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), #Sriharikota@isro pic.twitter.com/ZTyRvYB2It
— Doordarshan National दूरदर्शन नेशनल (@DDNational) February 14, 2022
Many social media users expressed their delight with ISRO’s first launch of the year and #ISRO, #EOS04 and #PSLVC52 is trending in Twitter.
After the successful launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to share the joy. “Congratulations to our space scientists on the successful launch of the PSLV C52 mission. EOS-04 satellite will provide high-resolution images under all weather conditions for agriculture, forestry and plantations, soil moisture and hydrology as well as flood mapping,” he tweeted.
“Yet another feather in the much decorated hat of Team #ISRO. Kudos ISRO for the successful launch of PSLV-C52 rocket carrying Earth Observation Satellite EOS-04, a Radar Imaging Satellite designed to provide high-quality images under all weather conditions,” wrote Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
“Namaskaram Somanath ji- Congratulations to you & your team on a successful launch. A moment of great Pride for the Nation. EOS’ accurate mapping of agriculture & soil-related data is the most critical need of the hour. Much Regard & Blessings. –Sg @isro #ISRO #EOS04,” tweeted Sadhguru.
Images of the lift-off were widely circulated on social media. The images and visuals from Bengaluru were even posted on social media.
Unaware of the launch, the early morning visuals were captured by a Twitter user from Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul and the video has gone viral since then with over 20,000 views on Twitter.
Came back to home this early morning and witnessed this right in front of my house.. what is this precisely? Anyone has any idea of what this could be? Shooting star? #DontLookUp #shootingstar #NASA @NASA @isro #ISRO pic.twitter.com/gHs8zW23Tg
— Kavin VM (@KavinVm) February 14, 2022
Came back to home this early morning and witnessed this right in front of my house. What is this precisely? Anyone has any idea of what this could be? Shooting star? he tweeted. Reacting to the post, few even posted comments; “Was I only one who initially thought why flight going in reverse gear mid-air,” “Brother, Even I got Same” and so on. Another user replied, “If around 6 am surely PSLV as seen from exhaust flame. It takes a dip and turns right fly almost horizontal towards the coast of Sri Lanka in its sun-synchronous path.”
Users also appreciated the visuals captured from various places.
Nice shots!! pic.twitter.com/ocjBqtDqYX
— Aditya Jayaprakash (@aditya_jpd) February 14, 2022
Since the launch coincided with Valentine’s Day, Twitter users expressed their gratitude by saying that the launch has brought them even more joy.
