India launches first rocket into space · 2007-04-23 17:29
India’s first commercial rocket has been launched into space.
The rocket, a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), took off from the Sriharikota base in southern India at 1530 Indian time (1000 GMT), the BBC reported.
India’s space programme includes an unmanned mission to the moon which is due to take place next year.
Reports say that India is being paid $11m to launch the Italian satellite. The rocket was due to send the satellite into orbit 23 minutes after takeoff.
The PSLV model rocket was first launched in 1994. It puts satellites into orbits where they cross above the earth’s poles.
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