UAE LAUNCHES SATELLITE AS INDIA EYES RECORD

New Delhi will send a total of 104 satellites into space on a single launch vehicle from its spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

new delhi — India hopes to make history by launching a record 104 satellites from a single rocket on Wednesday as its famously frugal space agency looks to zoom ahead in the commercial space race.

The rocket is set to blast off from the southern spaceport of Sriharikota, India’s Space Research Organisation (Isro) said in a statement on Tuesday. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle would be carrying a 714kg main satellite for earth observation and 103 smaller “nano satellites” which would weigh a combined 664kg.

The business of putting commercial satellites into space for a fee is growing as phone, Internet and other companies, as well as countries, seek greater and more high-tech communications. India is competing with other international players for a greater share of that launch market, and is known for its low-cost space programme. Last June, India set a national record after it successfully launched a rocket carrying 20 satellites, including 13 from the US. —