PM congratulates scientists on successful PSLV launch
10 Sep 2012
Prime minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday congratulated scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the successful launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C-21 from Sriharikota.
Expressing happiness at the successful launch, Singh complimented the Department of Space and the ISRO fraternity on the ''spectacular success.''
''As ISRO's 100th space mission, today's (Sunday's) launch is a milestone in our nation's space capabilities,'' he told a gathering of scientists that included the former ISRO chiefs.
Singh also congratulated EADS Astrium of France and the Osaka Institute of Technology of Japan on the successful launch of their satellites noting that the achievement was a testimony to the commercial competitiveness of the Indian space industry and a tribute to Indian innovation and ingenuity.
Noting that the year also marked the 50th anniversary of the commencement of India's space programme, he acknowledged the presence of many stalwarts of the earlier space programmes, including project directors of space missions.
''Given the string of successes since then, we often forget how challenging space technology is and what a relatively new field it continues to be.''