India sends mapping satellite into space

India on Wednesday successfully launched several satellites into space, its space agency said.

According to Indian Space Research Organization, India sent into orbit its earth imaging and mapping satellite CARTOSAT-3 along with 13 commercial nano-satellites from the U.S., Press Trust of India reported.

The launch of the nano-satellites comes after India’s lunar exploration mission -- Chandrayaan 2 -- crashed before it could land earlier this year.

A 44.4-meter-tall PSLV C47 rocket lifted off at 9:28 a.m. (0358GMT) from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh province of India.

CARTOSAT-3 is ninth in the series of such satellites.

“CARTOSAT-3 was placed into orbit 17 minutes and 46 seconds after lift-off,” the report said.

The nano-satellites were released into orbit at 26 minutes and 56 seconds after liftoff, it added.