India on Sunday morning successfully placed into orbit 19 satellites including Brazil’s earth observation satellite Amazonia-1-the primary passenger-in a textbook style. The multiple satellite launch space mission that lasted just under two hours was one of the longest for PSLV.

Congratulating Team ISRO for the successful mission K. Sivan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said, “The five Indian satellites are the result of the reform measures announced by the government earlier.”

Looking forward, Sivan said, “Team ISRO’s hands are full as there will be 14 space missions during 2021 that includes six satellite missions, seven launch missions and one unmanned mission — part of India’s human space mission Gaganyaan — by the end of this year.”

The PSLV-C51 rocket blasted off from the first launch pad here laden with 14 foreign and five Indian satellites slowly rose-up towards the skies with thick orange flame at its tail. The rocket slowly gained speed as it went up while emitting a rolling thunder sound.

This satellite would further strengthen the existing structure by providing remote sensing data to users for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon region and analysis of diversified agriculture across the Brazilian territory, ISRO said.

India’s first space mission for 2021 is one of the longest for a PSLV rocket. It took about 1 hour and 55 minutes to complete the mission. With this successful mission India has slung a total of 342 foreign satellites into orbit, all for a fee.