Bangalore, June 30
Indian Space Research Organisation today successfully put five foreign satellites into the space with the help of its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C23). The satellites were launched from Sriharikota near Chennai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present at the launch, said the faith reposed on ISRO by its foreign clients was an endorsement of the country's space capabilities. Modi asked the space community to develop a SAARC satellite for India's neighbours.

After a perfect liftoff from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota at 9:52 am, the PSLV placed all five satellites into their intended orbits, one after the other between 17 and 19 minutes

after the takeoff with great precision. This was the 26th consecutive successful flight of the PSLV.

The launch time was rescheduled to 9.52am today, a delay of three minutes, to avoid space debris coming in the rocket's way.

Besides 714-kg French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7, the rocket carried and placed it into orbits 14-kg AISAT of Germany, two Canadian satellites each weighing 15-kg and 7-kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.

In his first official visit to the space centre, the Prime Minister asked the space community to develop a SAARC satellite for India's neighbours. The Prime Minister said it was a privilege to witness the event and congratulated the space scientists for the successful launch.

Besides Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also witnessed the launch.