Sriharikota: April 28, 2008 - India has successfully launched a rocket carrying a cluster of 10 satellites into space. The rocket lifted off from Sriharikota island in southern Andhra Pradesh state, officials said.

It is carrying two Indian and eight foreign satellites. They are expected to provide data to enable India to plan rural and urban development.

The satellites were deployed in orbit within minutes of each other and the entire operation lasted 20 minutes.

'Historic moment'

"The mission was perfect," French news agency AFP quoted G Madhavan Nair, chairman of the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), as saying.

"It is a historic moment for us because it is the first time that we have launched 10 satellites in a single mission," he added.

The satellites include Cartosat2A - a remote-sensing satellite which will supply data that will enable maps precise enough to detail every house in the country.

Also on board were another Indian satellite, and eight tiny research satellites developed by foreign research institutions from Germany and Canada.

Experts have described Monday's launch as a rare feat for India's space programme.

India started its space programme in 1963, and has since designed, built and launched its own satellites into space.

Last year, India put an Italian satellite in orbit for a fee of $11m.

In January, India successfully launched an Israeli spy satellite into orbit.