ISRO launches PSLV-C51 carrying Brazil's Amazonia-1, 18 other satellites

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle took off at 10.24 exactly, carrying Brazil's 637-kg Amazonia-1, an optical earth observation satellite, as its primary passenger.

The 18 'co-passengers' in the PSLV include four of IN- SPACe and 14 of ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India (NSIL).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on its first mission of 2021.

In a tweet he wrote: "Congratulations to NSIL and @isroon the success of the 1st dedicated commercial  launch of PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 Mission. This ushers in a new era of Space reforms in the country. 18 co-passengers included four small satellites that showcase dynamism and innovation of our youth.

He also congratulated Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on the mission's success and called this a historic moment in space cooperation.

In his message he wrote: "Congratulations President@jairbolsonaro on the successful launch of Brazil's Amazonia-1 satellite by  PSLV-C51. This is a historic moment in our space cooperation and my felicitations to the scientists of Brazil."

The IN-SPACe satellites include three UNITYsats from a consortium of Indian academic institutes and one Satish Dhawan unit from Space Kidz India, which will study space radiation, among other things.

PSLV-C51/Amazonia-1 mission is the first dedicated PSLV commercial mission for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which is a government of India owned company under the department of space.

The company is undertaking the mission under a commercial arrangement with Seattle-based firm Spaceflight.