At 10:00 a.m., Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C30) successfully launched India's multi-wavelength space observatory Astrosat, along with six foreign customer satellites into orbit.

The observatory was launched from Sriharikota in the state of Andhra Pradesh, said the Indian Space and Research Organization, or ISRO. Astrosat will attempt an intense study of the universe, especially star systems. The launched of the Astrosat indicates another step forward for India's growing space program.

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According to India's junior science minister, Y.S. Choudhury, the launched of the observatory was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India's space program. Modi, who is currently in the United States for his official visit, tweeted his congratulations "Well done @isro, This is one more grand accomplishment for Indian science & our scientists".

The main goal of the observatory is to study the gigantic black hole, which is believed to be existing at the core of the Milky Way.  The other purpose of the observatory is to study white dwarfs, distant stars, and pulsars, according to Zee News.  The life span of the said mission is 5 years. The Astrosat will send its data to a control center which is located in the city of Bangalore. The scientific payload has a mass of 750 kg and contains six instruments, four X-ray payloads, one ultraviolet telescope, and a charge particle monitor.

Astosat's ultraviolet imaging telescope will scan the sky in visible ultraviolet and far ultraviolet light, focusing on infant solar system closer to home and star-forming clouds throughout the universe. The charge- coupled device camera for Astrosat soft X-ray telescope was provided by the University of Leicester, while detectors for Astrosat's twin ultraviolet and visible imaging telescopes are courtesy of Canadian scientists.

Astrosat took more than 10 years to develop, and scientists are really looking forward for the satellite to work.

TagsAstrosat, ISRO, Satellite, Milky Way