"Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday successfully launched earth observation satellite Resourcesat-2A from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) or Sriharikota High Altitude Range (SHAR) at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO workhorse PSLV-C36 placed the 1235 kilogram Resourcesat-2A into an 817 km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). The rocket blasted off at 10.25 am from the first launch pad at SHAR. In this flight, the 'XL' version of PSLV with six solid strap-on motors were used.
The PSLV-XL variant rocket standing 44.4 metre tall and weighing 321 ton tore into the morning skies around 10.25 a.m. with a deep throated growl breaking free of the Earth's gravitational pull.
Real-time simulation checks and data transmission checks were completed and the satellite was switched on Wednesday.
The 36-hour countdown for the rocket launch began at 10.25 pm on December 5, 2016.
PSLV is the ISRO's versatile launch vehicle for launching multiple satellites in polar SSOs, Low Earth Orbits (LEO) as well as Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and sub GTO.
With 36 successful launches, PSLV has emerged as the workhorse launch vehicle of ISRO and is offered for launching satellites for international customers.
During 1994-2016 period, PSLV has launched a total of 121 satellites, of which 79 satellites are from abroad and 42 are Indian satellites."
