ISRO's SSLV takes historic flight, carries student satellite. Watch

The Indian Space Research Organisation launched a historic mission on Sunday as its small-lift launch vehicle - carrying a student satellite and an earth observation satellite - lifted off from Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota.

AzaadiSAT, the student satellite, carries 75 different payloads that have been developed by girl students from parts of rural India. It also marks 75 years of India's independence, which is being celebrated as 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' by the government.

The SSLV will now offer the option to the space agency to launch mini, nano, and micro satellites, weighing between 10-500 kg. These satellites can be launched to Low Earth Orbits on a 'launch-on-demand' basis.

The countdown for the mission - which began at 2:18 am - lasted for seven hours. The launch was divided into three stages, all of which were carried out successfully.