India is set to put in orbit five foreign satellites, built in Britain, to observe the earth. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) – a 15-storey-high, 320-tonne rocket, will launch the satellites weighing 1440kg (3,086lb) in what will be its "heaviest" mission ever. India has so far launched 40 foreign satellites from 19 countries. The country is emerging as a major player in the multi-billion dollar space market.
The rocket carrying the satellites will take off from Sriharikota launch centre in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh on Friday evening. The PSLV has so far successfully launched more than 65 satellites, including 40 foreign ones, into space. In 2008 the Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched 10 satellites in a single mission.