PSLV-C51 launches Brazil's Amazonia-1 satellite

(Eds: Updates with launch of primary satellite, details)
Sriharikota (AP), Feb 28 (PTI) India's Polar rocket
on Sunday successfully launched Amazonia-1 satellite of Brazil
from the spaceport here, in the first mission of the year for
space agency ISRO.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C51, also carrying
18 other satellites, lifted off at around 10.24 am from the
first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) and
injected into orbit primary payload Amazonia-1 about 17
minutes later in a textbook launch.
The co-passenger satellites, including one from Chennai-
based Space Kidz India (SKI), which is engraved with a picture
of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be launched over the
next two hours during which the fourth-stage of the PSLV-C51
would be re-started twice.
"I am extremely happy to declare that PSLV-C51
successfully launched in precise orbit Aamazonia-1 today...
The satellite is in very good health and solar panels have
been deployed," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Chairman K Sivan announced amid applause from the scientists.
PSLV-C51 is the first dedicated commercial mission of
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm, and the
launch was watched among others by Brazilian government
officials at the mission control centre here, over 100 kms
from Chennai.
The 637-kg Amazonia-1 which became the first Brazilian
satellite to be launched from India is an optical earth
observation satellite of National Institute for Space Research
(INPE).
Earlier, at the end of the 25.5 hour countdown, the
four-stage 44.4 metre tall PSLV, a workhorse launch vehicle of
ISRO in its 53rd mission, soared into clear sky and every
stage performed as programmed, ISRO said. PTI VIJ
VS VS

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)