Indian Space Research Organisation has transformed the dream of Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay into a reality by launching ‘Pratham’, a microsatellite into outer space. The students of IIT-Bombay designed the satellite. Around 100 students worked hard for developing this satellite and the efforts have been successful. The satellite will play a significant role in issuing Tsunami warnings in advance and eliminates errors in GPS communication. It also carries out scientific studies.
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The satellite was launched through a 4-Stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on September 26, 2016, at Sriharikota, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. The satellite was lifted at 9.13 AM and was ejected at 9.30 AM into the outer space. The satellite has been placed at an altitude of 720 km. The weight of the satellite is 10 Kg.
Shashank Tamaskar and Saptarshi Bandyopadhyay, students of aerospace engineering of IIT-Bombay played a significant role in developing the satellite. IIT-B funded the project, and ISRO tested the satellite in the first week of September.
One of the students expressed his happiness and said that it was a special moment for them to see the microsatellite lifted off.
The students were appreciated by Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on Twitter. The PM tweeted that “Our space scientists keep scripting history.”