Look Out World India Has Come A Long Way!

Via Times of India:  

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) used its workhorse PSLV-C34 to inject 20 satellites which includes 17 satellites from various countries like US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia, into orbit in a single mission and set a new record on Wednesday. 

In the final stages of the mission, ISRO also demonstrated the vehicle's capability to place satellites in different orbits. 

 In the demonstration, the vehicle reignited twice after its fourth and final stage and moved further a few kilometers into another orbit.

 Also included are a couple of satellites from academic institutions, Sathyabamasat from Sathyabhama University, Chennai and Swayam from College of Engineering, Pune.

From the report: "The 320 ton Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C34) took off on its 36th flight at 9:26 a.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Center with 20 satellites including its primary payload Cartosat-2 series, which provides remote sensing services, and earth observation and imaging satellites from U.S., Canada, Germany and Indonesia.

It was also the 14th flight of PSLV in 'XL' configuration with the use of solid strap-on motors.

 ISRO scientists said, the vehicle had been pre-programmed for today's launch to perform tiny maneuvering to place the 20 satellites into polar sun-synchronous orbits with different inclinations and velocities.

 It ensured that the satellites were placed with enough distance to prevent collision."