ISRO`s PSLV-C23: PM Narendra Modi to attend launch on Monday

24-hour countdown for PSLV-C23 Mission has begun at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on Sunday. The mission began at 8:52 am yesterday with a delay of 3 minutes from the proposed time due to the high chances of space debris getting in the way of the launch vehicle.

Zee Media Bureau/R.Nandini/Irengbam Jenny

Chennai: The 24-hour countdown for PSLV-C23 Mission has begun at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on Sunday. The mission began at 8:52 am on saturday with a delay of 3 minutes from the proposed time due to the high chances of space debris getting in the way of the launch vehicle. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister during his stopover in Chennai on route to Sriharikota for the launch of the rocket. On his arrival at Sriharikota, he was greeted by Shri Chandrababu Naidu and Dr K Radhakrishnan, ISRO Chairman.

The Prime Minister being greeted by CM of Tamil Nadu during his stopover in Chennai on way to Sriharikota pic.twitter.com/vSXu9wc4Pv

— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 29, 2014

The PM being greeted by Shri Chandrababu Naidu on his arrival at Sriharikota pic.twitter.com/1kjxorV9c2

— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 29, 2014

The PM being greeted by Sh K. Radhakrishnan, ISRO Chairman on his arrival at Sriharikota pic.twitter.com/qBsgRTvZIu— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 29, 2014

Later a brief presentation was given to the PM by Dr K Radhakrishnan on Indian space programme.

Brief presentation to PM by Dr K Radhakrishnan on Indian space programme at Sriharikota. pic.twitter.com/DvHbyZAhLx— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 29, 2014

The Prime Minister will witness the launch of PSLV-C23 rocket on June 30, Monday. The rocket carrying the French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7 and four co-passenger satellites from Canada, Germany and Singapore will be launched at a rescheduled time of 09:52 hrs (IST) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.  The Prime Minister will return to Chennai by a helicopter at 11.35 am on Monday and take a special flight back to Delhi at 11.40 am. Till date, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched 25 consecutive successful launches of PSLV. It may be noted that Modi`s presence signifies India`s commitment to space and other related missile technologies as top priority for the country.  Photo Credit: ISRO