Indian rocket boosts Italian satellite

India's first commercial rocket was fired into space carrying a 776-pound Italian satellite that will collect data on the origins of the universe, a UPI news wire report said.

The UPI report said the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket took off from the Sriharikota launch pad in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh, according to the Press Trust of India.

Separately, the BBC reported scientists at the Indian Space Research Organization broke out into spontaneous applause when the rocket lifted off into a clear blue sky, the report said.

Other media reports said with the latest launch, India has joined the US, Russia, France, China and Japan with similar achievements.

ISRO's future plans include sending an unmanned mission to the Moon next year.