Especially this year there seems to be lot done in the space by various countries. The US is on a mission to the red planet. And not to be left behind India is actively involved on a different space program too. The  Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C21 (PSLV-C21) is a classic example of the way the Indian Space programme has evolved over a period of time, the last few decades. One of the proudest moment for the nation of billions that from sending our equipment to be launched elsewhere we are today launching global equipment from Indian launch stations. This all by itself makes the nation filled with pride.

The country lifted its face upwards as the PSLV C21 blasted off the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, at Sriharikota. The prestige was that it had two passengers on its back, the French earth observation satellite SPOT 6 and the micro-satellite, Proiteres, from Japan. The launch of the  44 metres tall and 230 tonne PSLV C21, on a cloudy Sunday took off in style, at 9.53 am, as the country's premier was watching the show.

PSLV C21 is the eight in the series and the hundredth from the nation as far as the space missions are concerned. And this is the twenty second time that a PSLV has carried a satellite. Just after leaving ground within eighteen minutes of its scheduled liftoff the PSLV C21 thumped its back loads into orbits.

The event was watched by prominent media personnel who came from all corners of the world. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a word of admiration for the scientists behind the event along with the Minister in Prime Minister’s Office V. Narayanasamy. It was moment of jubilation and celebrations at the SHAR. ISRO has sent 29 foreign satellites successfully to the orbit, including this one. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)