India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), successfully launched a record-breaking 104 nano satellites into orbit from the Sriharikota space center, surpassing Russia’s 2014 record of 37 satellites. The launch included a 714kg Earth observation satellite and more than 100 smaller satellites, each weighing less than 10kg. Among the payload, three were Indian-owned, 96 were from US companies, and others were from Israel, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UAE. The majority were owned by US-based Planet Labs Inc.
This achievement reflects the shrinking size and weight of modern satellites, rather than any groundbreaking new technology. The satellites were released at different times, velocities, and angles to avoid collisions after reaching a height of about 505km.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the milestone, calling it “an exceptional achievement” on Twitter. ISRO’s chairperson, Kiran Kumar, emphasized that the agency was focused on maximizing the capability of each launch, rather than aiming for records.
This launch strengthens India’s position in the global space market, as demand for telecommunications services grows. India has previously made significant achievements, including its successful Mars mission in 2014, which was completed at a fraction of the cost of similar missions by other countries.
ISRO continues to develop ambitious projects, including a reusable rocket, and future missions to Venus and Jupiter, further advancing India’s space exploration efforts.