IN PICTURES: ISRO successfully launches 100th satellite 'Cartosat-2' series

The 44.4-metre tall Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C40) roared into a clear sky after a perfect lift-off at 9.29 a.m. following a 28-hour countdown. (Photo | PTI)

ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar, who will be retiring on January 14 and looked visibly emotional, has credited the success to the entire team. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director K Sivan, chairman-designate, said the launch is the beginning of the busiest 2018 year. (Photo | PTI)

Of the 31 satellites, three are Indian and the rest are from Canada, Finland, France, South Korea, UK and the US. The Indian satellites include the 710 kg Cartosat-2 series for Earth observation as the primary satellite of the mission, along with co-passenger payloads, including 100 kg micro satellite and a 10 kg nano satellite. (IN PIC: Sriharikota ISRO Chairman AS Kiran Kumar greets ISRO Chairman elect K Sivan) (Photo | PTI)

The 320-tonne rocket would eject the satellites one-by-one and deploy them into the earth's lower orbit 17 minutes and 18 seconds after the lift-off. (Photo | AP)

Meanwhile, the launch also marked the national space agency's foray into small satellite market. For the first time, ISRO has built a microsatellite in the 100 kg class that derives its heritage from IMS-1 bus and flown in as co-passenger. Also, an Indian Nano Satellite-1C, weighing just 11 kg was also built by ISRO as a technology demonstrator. (Photo | PTI)

This satellite is the seventh remote sensing satellite in its series and has the mission life of five years. Its uses include monitoring urban and rural applications, coastal land use regulation, managing services like road networks and water distribution, detecting changes in geographical features and creation of land use maps. (IN PIC: Sriharikota ISRO Chairman AS Kiran Kumar flashes a victory sign. Also seen is ISRO Chairman elect K Sivan) (Photo | PTI)